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2947/1918.�Officers� Eyesight�Examination. (C.W. 36608.� 12.9.1918.) Cases have been brought to notice of officers suffering from defective vision who have not taken the opportunity of being properly examined until the defect has become serious enough to interfere with the efficient performance of their duties owing to want of efficient remedies. For this reason, it is desirable to impress upon officers that it is in their own interests, as well as those of the Service, that their visual efficiency should be protected and conserved as far as possible. Although the initiative must rest with the officers themselves, they should be encouraged to apply for examination by the Ophthalmic Surgeon attached to the Hospital Ship or Fleet in the event of their having any reason to suppose that their vision is affected. In the case of small errors of refraction or other remediable conditions, they should make use of such corrective appliances for reading and other close work as may be compatible with the efficient performance of their duties. Hitherto officers may have refrained from using glasses in the fear that such use might prejudice their future, as being an indication that their eyesight renders them less capable of performing their duties than formerly. Officers for whom suitable glasses have been prescribed under the foregoing conditions need have no fear that any such inference will be drawn from the fact of their wearing them. 2959/1918 Mechanicians, Chief Stokers, and Stoker Petty Officers (N. 38592.� 12.9.1918.) Serious damage having been caused to the boilers of one of H.M. Ships due to shortness of water, owing to the Chief Stoker in the boiler room being unable, on account of defective eyesight, to see the level of the water in the gauge glasses, arrangements are to be made to test the vision of all Mechanicians, Chief Stokers, and Stoker Petty Officers who are over 40 years of age, to ascertain whether they can read gauge glasses. 2. If they are unable to do so, the actual visual defect should be ascertained in a Naval Hospital with a view to determining whether they can be retained for other service not entailing the reading of these glasses, and the cases are to be referred to the Admiralty for consideration. 3. The first test should be carried out now and every three years afterwards, the result of the examination being noted on their Service Certificates. � Crown Copyright ^ back to top ^ |