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The number of new cases seen at three Individual clinics was as follows:-
Clinic New Cases
Stratford 1,719
Balaam Street 2,236
Rosetta Road 1,969

This is a small increase over last year's figures and interrupts the previously
steady downward trend of the post war years. The reasons for this change are not readily
apparent* whether it is of any significance can only be told from future statistics.
REPORT ON THE WORK OF THE OPHTHALMIC CLINIC
by Dr.A.A.S.RUSSELL, M.B., Ch.B., D.F.H., D.O.M.S.
The work of the Ophthalmic Clinic continued in the same routine as in previous
years.
A large part of the work is refractions and prescribing glasses. The number of
prescriptions given during the year was 1,493, but this included glasses prescribed for
children under school age referred from the Child Welfare Department.
Some of the children refracted do not have glasses ordered as they are found to
already possess a suitable pair, or else do not require any. l8l school children refracted
were found to have no eye defect. Many children make several attendances at the Eye Clinic,
some requiring two visits for the refraction, part of which is carried out under a mydriatic
and part without any drops or ointment in the eyes. Others make extra visits to the clinic
for re-inspection of glasses, observation, and note of progress of eye defect as well as many
with broken glasses. The group of children making the most regular attendances at the clinic
are the children with squints and 600 such cases made 1,885 attendances. This figure included
107 children under school age who made 307 attendances. This is the number of attendances in
the main eye clinic for re-inspection, and is in addition to the cases refracted and also to
the attendances made in the Orthoptic Department, although some are seen in the Orthoptic
and the main Eye Clinic on the same day.
The Orthoptist deals with all cases of occlusion as well as carrying out the orthoptic
examinations and exercises. Such exercises combined with glasses cure some of the cases of
squint, but in others are combined with operative treatment.
Children admitted to Whlpps Cross Hospital for squint operations during the year
number 71, which Included 11 under school age, and 3 of them had two operations, so 74
squint operations were performed.
Three children were admitted to Whipps Cross Hospital for other eye operations, one
as an emergency after an injury to the eye.
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