asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health (a) if he can inform the Dáil as to the total number of persons in Saorstát Eireann whose blindness is due to preventable causes, with details regarding the number who have been blind since birth; the number who have lost their sight through industrial accidents, and the diseases which are generally responsible for blindness; (b) whether the Minister will also state what steps his Department has taken with a view to stamping out preventable forms of blindness; and if he will consider the necessity of setting up a committee with a view to inquiring more thoroughly into the whole question of preventable blindness.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Statistics of the Blind.
The information asked for in the first part of the question is not available. There is authority for believing that the number of persons blind from birth is exceedingly small and probably not more than 4 per cent. of the blind population. The diseases commonly responsible for blindness in this country are: (1) trachoma, (2) corneal ulceration, (3) cataract, and (4) myopia.
Neonatorum is generally regarded as a serious factor in the causation of blindness. This affection has been almost eliminated by the strict observance of the prescribed precautions and treatment contained in instructional memoranda dealing with the prevention and treatment of ophthalmia neonatorum which have been issued from time to time by the Department. Early indications of preventable forms of blindness (e.g., trachoma, corneal ulceration and myopia) can best be discovered by the medical inspection of school children, and the requisite treatment and corrections can be afforded under school medical service schemes. Such schemes are now in operation in the four county boroughs, in Clonmel, and in the following counties: Cork, Offaly, Kildare and Louth.
In addition, county medical officers of health have been appointed in Carlow, Donegal, Galway, Meath, Roscommon, Westmeath, and Wicklow, and will soon be available in Cavan, Limerick and Monaghan. The medical inspection of school children will be undertaken in these counties at the earliest moment that local arrangements permit. Ophthalmic surgeons are attached to the county hospitals and other institutions in the following counties: Cork, Galway, Kildare, Kilkenny, Limerick, Laoighis, Longford, Louth, Meath, Offaly, Sligo, Waterford, Westmeath and Wexford (14 in all).
In view of the considerable progress which is being made, and the practical interest which is being shown by the medical profession, it does not appear that the setting up of a committee would serve any useful purpose.