View report page

76
There would appear to be no very definite explanation for this increasing incidence
of simple myopia at this age (13-16 years), but it is significant that these are years of
rapid growth.
There is no other treatment than prescription of glasses for constant wear.
Other cases seen and treated were a few for minor injuries, dacryocystitis in infants
with the usual history of watering and discharge from the eye since birth and one very
unusual case with Megalo Cornea with opacification, which was referred to Moorfields
Hospital for further investigation.
It is worth recording that there is a greater awareness of the necessity of treating
cases of squint, even if it is only transient, at the earliest possible age
As unilateral squint is invariably associated with amblyopia, treatment cannot be
commenced too soon, and where such is possible, results of treatment are very favourable,
Any opportunity that may present itself of examining the vision of children of pre school
age where there is a family history of squint or "lazy eye* should be taken advantage of,
as it often means earlier detection of an amblyopic eye. In testing these young children
who have notyetlearnt the alphabet, the Beale-Collins picture test types is most helpful".
Orthopaedic Clinics
Inability to obtain the services of a physiotherapist for most of the year hampered
the work of the clinics Mr. E. Hambly, F R.C S of the Lordship Lane Orthopaedic
Clinic comments that lasy year was extremely busy and he continued to be impressed by
the very high standard of intelligence with which both children and their parents carry out
instructions. Both parents frequently attend with their children and their combined
interest is a great help.
Dr. E.G.M. Palser of the Hornsey Orthopaedia Clinic comments on the absence of
a physiotherapist and notes that there were only 57 attendances for the physiotherapist
instead of a possible 3,000 A few children were treated in hospital physiotherapy
departments but most were instructed in home exercises which they carried out with the
ready assistance of their parents, who continued to take a keen interest in these matters.
Audiometry
The increasing importance paid to early detection of hearing defects in children is
shown by the table below, which gives the number and results of audiometry tests
during 1962.
The aim is to test each child's hearing three times during school life, the first test
being not later than the age of seven years. Special cases such as children with cerebral
palsy, children who fail to develop proper speech and those who fail without apparent
reason to make proper progress at school are seen as "specials". The per