View report page

REPORT ON THE WORK OP THE OPHTHALMIC CLINIC
by Dr. A.A.S,RUSSELL, NUB., Ch.B., D.P.H*, D.O.M.S.
The work carried out in the Eye Clinic during the year 1950 followed the same
routine as in previous years.
The number of school children refracted was 1,946, and 1,504 prescriptions were
given for glasses. Of the children examined, 285 were found to have no refractive error,
10^ only slight errors and glasses not prescribed, and 53 were found to be already wearing
suitable glasses.
Among those refracted, 562 were found to be myopic, and 475 had some degree of
squint.
Of the many attendances made in the clinic for reinspection of glasses and advice,
278 were cases of myopia, but the largest number of attendances was made by children with
squints. 567 such cases made 2,208 attendances. The figures for reinspections of
strabismus include cases of previous squints now straight after operation and/or orthoptic
treatment, but still under observation at the clinic„
The orthoptic work was carried out by Miss Martin working part-time 6 sessions
per week till the beginning of July, and thereafter by Miss Carter, who was appointed as
full-time orthoptist* The number of school children seen in the Orthoptic Clinic was 362,
and they made 3,099 attendances.
Children under school age referred from the Maternity and Child Welfare Department
were also examined and treated in this clinic. The majority of these cases were referred
for strabismus and 72 were refracted, 67 receiving prescriptions for glasses• These
young children are seen periodically during the year and 91 attended for re-inspection,,
making 265 attendances * Some of these children under school age are suitable for orthoptic
treatment, and 47 attended the orthoptic clinic and made 166 attendances.
The operative work was carried out at Whipps Cross Hospital and I performed
65 operations for strabismus, 8 of which were on children under school age.
Many attendances were also made in the Eye Clinic for the treatment of external eye
diseases and also the examination of other less comaion eye conditions*
Owing to the large number of attendances in the Eye Clinic and to prevent children
being kept too long waiting for an appointment, I have had Dr.Jaffe assisting me in the
clinic for three sessions per week since May,
DEFECTIVE COLOUR VISION-, The Ishihara Test for the detection of this defect has
only been carried out in the case of children attending grammar and other higher schools,
for boys who have entered for Sea Training Scholarships, and for those children who propose
entering services where correct colour discrimination is necessary. Defective colour
vision is of fairly frequent occurrence in males - about one in every 20 being affected, but
is much less common among girls. It is such a severe handicap in certain occupations that
it is clearly in the child's interests that it should be discovered before his career is
decided. At the examinations held at the Grammar and Technical Schools and in connection
56