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(d) VISUAL DEFECTS AND EXTERNAL EVE DISEASES.
All cases of Visual defects, which arc examined by the Committee's
Oculist, are, in the first instance, inspected by an Assistant
School Medical Officer. The Oculist devotes ten Sessions per
week to these refractions, which are re-inspected by the respective
Assistant School Medical Officer within the following three
months. In necessitous cases assistance is rendered in the purchase
of the glasses.
Following is a resume of the results of the examinations by
the School Oculist:—
Cases referred to Oculist 4292
Number attended 3625
Percentage attendance 84.46
Glasses ordered 2930
Number of Clinic Sessions 403
Those cases which did not keep the first appointment were
followed up by the Area Nurse, and in the majority of cases
further appointments were made.
The following is a report by Dr. W. J. Thomas on the work
at the Ophthalmic Clinic during the year:—
The Authority have made arrangements for these defects to
be dealt with at the Stratford Ophthalmic Clinic. It is clear that
the needs of the children in both Elementary and Secondary
Schools in the County Borough of West Ham are being met with
a considerable degree of success.
There is usually a short waiting list for this treatment, which
is made up from the recommendations of the Assistant School
Medical Officers at their Routine and Special Examinations in
school.
Apart from this, the teachers, parents and the Clinics notify
the School Medical Officer direct at any time of children who
appear to have defective sight.
Prescriptions are made up at contract prices, and 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 children with Defective sight, Eye strain, Strabismus,
etc. are referred to the Oculist.
The cases of Myopia are re-examined frequently according
to the degree of Myopia.
The co-operation of the teachers is of the greatest possible
value in referring early backwardness and disability that indicate
bad sight" to the School Medical Officer; they also see that
the children with glasses wear them as ordered.
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