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(e) EXTERNAL EYE DISEASE.
These conditions figure largely among the children sent to
the Clinics by the Head Teachers. Being fairly obvious they
are easily detected in an early stage, and drafted to the Clinics
by the Clinic Attendance Cards, with which Teachers are provided.
The number treated under the Authority's Scheme, as
compared with that undertaken privately, is shown in Table
IV. (1) under the heading of "Minor Ailments," the proportion
being roughly 20 to 1. Only 53 cases were cured by
private endeavour.
(/) DEFECTIVE VISION.
The Authority have made arrangements for these defects
to be dealt with at the Balaam Street Clinic. Mr. E. Erskine
Henderson, F.R.C.S., and Dr. G. A. Troup, the Committee's
Oculists, undertake refractions on three afternoon sessions
per week.
There is always a long waiting list for this treatment,
which is made up from the recommendations of the Assistant
School Medical Officers at their routine and special inspections
in school. Apart from this, the teachers notify the School
Medical Officer direct at any time of children who appear to
have defective sight. The appointments are made from the
office and the children attend twice. Prescriptions are made
up at contract prices by the Eastern Optical Company. Every
case prescribed for is followed up, and warning letters are sent
to parents who persistently neglect their children's requirements
in this direction.
All cases are re-inspected within three months, to see if
the glasses are suitable and giving satisfaction. The following
brief statistics summarise the whole work of the year at the
Eye Clinics (Elementary and Higher Education Institutions): —
Cases sent to Ophthalmic Specialists 2,359
Number attended 2,043
Percentage attendance 86.6
Number of Clinic Days 116
Table IV., Group II., gives the results from the Elementary
Schools.