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The total number of Clinic Sessions devoted to Refraction
work was 364.
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 tne Mratiord Ophthalmic Clinic. It is clear that
the needs ot the children in all schools in the borough are being
met with a considerable degree of success.
it is quite possible tor a child to have defective vision in one
or botn eyes, and yet make no complaint either at school or at
home. Children wno have never experienced full clarity of detail
cannot realise that they see objects indistinctly.
Barents should watch their children closely, and if they have
any reason to think that a child's sight is less than perfect, expert
medical advice should be obtained without delay.
Many children are accused unjustly of being dull at school
when in ract they are handicapped by the inability to see properly,
and by the consequent "nervous strain" which is thrown upon
them in straining to overcome the defect. Many minor ailments
may be traced to the want ot proper correction with spectacles.
It is of the first importance that children's sight should be
entrusted only to specially qualified medical officers. In many
cases defective sight is due to "bodily, ill-health." A doctor also
has the medical knowledge and training necessary to detect and
treat such conditions.
With the co-operation of the School Medical Service children
can obtain expert medical eye examination, which is so necessary,
and spectacles made accurately according to prescription, by the
dispensing optician appointed by the local authority. Prescriptions
for glasses are made up at contract prices, and every case
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 heterophoria or
squint, are referred to the Oculist. All cases of myopia are reexamined
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.
There is usually a waiting list, which is made up from the
recommendations of the area School Medical Officers at their
routine and special examinations in the schools.
Head Teachers can notify the School Medical Officer direct of
children who appear to have any ocular defect.
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