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109
APPENDIX I.
Report of Ophthalmic Surgeon.
The selection of cases for Ophthalmic examination is made
partly on the results of the preliminary test of vision at the
schools and partly from special cases complaining of difficulty
with distant vision or persistent headache, etc., and referred by
the teachers to the Inspection Clinic.
Children with eye symptoms or visual defects are requested
to attend the Inspection Clinic held on Friday forenoons. A
further examination is made under more perfect conditions of
light. Where there is found a defect sufficient to suggest the
necessity for glasses, atropine ointment is put into the eyes and
a small box of ointment, with simple instructions as to its application,
is given to the parent, who is told to bring the child again
on the Monday following.
On Mondays the new cases are seen. Towards the end of
the session the Optician attends and takes measurements of the
children requiring glasses and also distributes glasses ordered to
those children who were seen the previous week.
By this means the Surgeon is enabled to make a final inspection
and the suitability of such spectacles is ensured. Further,
the dual attendance of the Surgeon and Optician is a distinct
advantage in cases where questions arise as to special points in
spectacles.
Provision of Spectacles.
Spectacles are now supplied at a flat rate of 2s. 6d. per pair.
For this price a good solid nickel or nickel steel frame and
best quality lenses are provided.
In 106 cases it was found the parents could not afford to pay
for the spectacles. These were supplied out of a fund supported
by voluntary contributions and controlled by the School Medical
Officer.
This fund is now exhausted, and it will be necessary for the
Committee to make further arrangements for supplying the
glasses in necessitous cases.