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559. The number dealt with at hospitals and by private practitioners
was 16. The more severe cases, which do not respond
at the minor ailment clinics, and many cases of accidents to the
eyes, are dealt with by the school ophthalmic surgeon at the Stratford
ophthalmic clinic. Further details are given on pages 95-6.
Some cases of eye defect, notably phlyctenular conjunctivitis, do
very well at the Fyfield Open-Air School, a prolonged stay
usually being necessary.
Dr. Russell's report on the work of the Ophthalmic Clinic
follows: —
REPORT ON THE WORK OF THE OPHTHALMIC
CLINIC
By Dr. A. A. S. RUSSELL, M.B., Ch.B., D.P.H., D.O.M.S.
The majority of the children attending the Eye Clinic are
those suffering from some refractive error and requiring glasses.
The children are thoroughly examined and prescription given in
all cases where glasses are found to be necessary. This examination
is completed during one attendance at the clinic in most
cases, although many do require more than one attendance.
The number of prescriptions given during 1946 was 1,132,
but in addition to those receiving prescriptions, 98 children,
having only slight refractive errors causing no symptoms, were
not ordered glasses, and 82 were found at examination to have
no defect.
Many children make additional attendances during the year
for re-inspection and advice, the frequency of the visits varying
with the condition. Children with squints are asked to attend
every 3-4 months, and those on treatment by methods of
occlusion may attend oftener, but I regret to state that many
do not make the required re-attendances at the Eye Clinic;
however, during this year 260 children made 565 visits for
re-inspection.
The orthoptic instruments have unfortunately not been used
very much, and only 3 children had a course of orthoptic exercises
and 55 were examined on the synoptoscope, but the appointment
of an Orthoptist will increase this branch of work and
enable the necessary orthoptic training to be carried out.
The children with a high degree of myopia form another
group who are seen at intervals of 4-6 months.
In addition to the children attending the clinic for refractive
error or squint, others attend for treatment of eye diseases and
injuries; 188 such cases were seen during the year, and made
589 attendances. The majority of these cases are mild inflammatory
conditions, such as conjunctivitis and blepharitis, many
acute, but some chronic. This number includes some more
serious conditions, such as corneal ulcer, removal of embedded
corneal foreign bodies, and eye injuries not necessitating inpatient
hospital treatment. Also, several cases of meibomian
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