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The work of the Orthoptic department has been carried out by Mrs. palfreman and she
had 2,547 attendances including 387 from children under school age. Of these there were
63 new patients under school age and 122 new patients among school children.
Mr.Lauder continued with his duties as full time optician and he dispensed 1,094
prescriptions for new glasses; while 381 prescriptions were taken to outside opticians.
In addition to measuring and fitting new glasses Mr. Lauder deals with a large number of
repairs for broken glasses and many of the minor repairs or adjustments he carries out in
the clinic. The number of attendances in Mr. Lauder's department amounted to 4,777.
DEFECTIVE COLOUR VISION. The Confusion Chart Test designed by Professor Shinobu
Ishihara of Tokyo University and known as the Ishihara Test, Is considered a satisfactory
test for general use in the School Health Service, and all our school medical officers
are provided with an album of plates. This test has been used in West Ham for many years
for children attending grammar schools 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 boys - about one in ever
twenty being affected, but in girls it is much less common.
Since it is a severe handicap in certain occupations it is clearly in the child's
interest that it should be discovered before his career is decided. The test, which is
given quickly, easily explained and understood, is given at the age of 14 years and can be
carried out in an ordinary room in good daylight. In many cases, the boy and parent, when
informed of the defect state that they are aware of It and they often explain in various
ways how they became aware of it. When a defect is found the parent is advised and the hea
teacher informed ,
The colour defective boy may be at a serious disadvantage in any profession or trade
which demands accurate colour discrimination and because of this the test is given In good
time to prevent boys from preparing for occupations for which a colour vision defect might
render them unsuitable. Among the various industries in which colour discrimination is
Important are the following - textile manufactures, electrical trades, paper making, photographic
industries, printing, printing ink manufacture, the paint industry, painting, build
and allied trades, the chemical industry and in various industrial laboratories. In certai:
occupations the defect might endanger the safety of others. In some grades of the Royal Na'
Royal Air Force apd the Railways normal colour vision Is required.