[Report 1947] / School Medical Officer, Somerset County Council.

  • Somerset (England). County Council.
Date:
1947
Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Credit: [Report 1947] / School Medical Officer, Somerset County Council. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    9/32 (page 7)
    Suspected tulierculosis cases referred to the Tnlierculosis OHiccrs were (‘>4 and of these eight cases were found to ho definite. The following cases were referred to Ear, Nose and Throat Specialists:— Number referred. Removal of Tonsils and Adenoids advised. Mastoid operation. Other Treatment. No Tr( alinent or no report. 102 48 1 30 23 VISION AND EYE DEFECTS. During the year the School Oculists examined o,236 cases and prescribed glasses for 1,452 school children. In addition to these 352 pre-school children were examined, chiefly for squint. 53 cases were seen under the Blind Persons Act and 95 other cases, .making a grand total of 3,736 examinations foi' the year. Orthoptics; The following is a note from the School Oculists: — Apparatus and equipment for an Orthoptic Clinic have been obtained and a start will be made early in 1948. The first Clinic will be situated at Musgrove Park Hosi^ital, Taunton, while it is hoped to be able to extend this treatment by establishing Centres throughout the County. Orthoptics is the science and art of the diagnosis and treatment of squints and other forms of ocular muscle imbalance. The chief instrument used in this work is the Synoptojihore and the work is carried out by women who have trained at a school of orthopt'es and gained the Diploma of the British Board of Orthop- tists. These schools are att.iched to certain Eye Hospitals in the country and the minimum period of training is now two years. An orthoptist is bound by the Board's regulations not to })ractise on any person without the recommendation of an Oculist. While orthoptics can bring about cure of some eases by orthoptic treatment alone, most squint cases also require operation. 3’he ultimate aim of orthoptics (and o]>eration if necessary) is lo give a patient single binocular vision—;.c. vision using both eyes together, with fusion of the images seen. A sipiinting eye almost invariably loses steadily its visual acuity and often becomes practically blind. Orthoptics (and/or operation) by curing the squint stops the loss of vision, as the S([uinting eye then is used instead of being neglected. .\s the powei’ of single binocular vision (fusion) is gained during the ages 2 to 5 (or doubtfully 6) years, it is extremely ini])orlant to diagnose and treat cases of squint early. Orthoptists can train sipiinling children to develop binocuhir vision and to maintain this power until the eyes are straightened by treatment, either