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Assistant School Medical Officers within the following' throe
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:—
Elementary
Schools
Higher
Education
Special
Schools
Cases referred to Oculist
4136
648
63
Number attended
3444
556
54
Percentage attendance
83.3
85.8
85.7
Glasses ordered
2810
505
46
The total number of Clinic Sessions devoted to Refraction
work was 386.
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, the Committee's
Oculist:—
The Authority have made arrangements for visual defects to
be dealt with at the Stratford Ophthalmic Clinic. It is clear that
the needs of the children in all schools in the Borough 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 Area School Medical
Officers at their Routine and Special Examinations in schools.
Apart from this, the Head Teachers notify the School Medical
Officer direct 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 and
strabismus are referred to the Oculist.
The cases of myopic children are re-examined frequently
according to the degree of myopia.
The co-operation of Head Teachers is of the greatest possible
value in referring early backwardness and disability that indicates
"Bad sight" to the School Medical Officer; they also see
that the children with glasses wear them as ordered.
CARE OF THE MYOPIC CHILD.
Myopia is no mere error of refraction; it is a condition which
needs special consideration.
Defective vision for distance is the commonest symptom, and
if the short-sight be more than of a very moderate degree, it will
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