Slow Readers Are Not Using Eyes Together

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30823, 7 August 1965, Page 2

Slow Readers Are Not Using Eyes Together

Thirty years in practice as an optometrist has convinced Dr. Olivia McHugh that the majority of children who are slow readers are so because they are not binocular—they are not using their eyes together.

Dr. McHugh, who is the only woman optometrist in the State of Utah, is in practice at American Fork, a town a few miles from Salt Lake City. She said in Christchurch yesterday that visual training was the challenging new field in optometry. It was amazing the number of children and adults who were not binocular. Dr. McHugh said the cause of this was thought to be the stress of close-up tasks such as reading, writing and drawing which people had been given too young. The reason why this fault was not picked up during eye tests at school was that these children had normal 20/20 vision at a distance. When it came to looking at near objects or print the eyes did not adjust to the visual demands the objects required and so

the children found it difficult to learn. Now tests to screen out these children had been developed and were being given in schools throughout America, said Dr. McHugh. Another part of the visualtraining programme taught people to see movement clearly and quickly in their jobs. This improved their performance and output. Dr. McHugh is also well known in many states as the “rock hound woman.” Twentysix years ago she founded the Salt Lake City Amateur Mineral Society. She has had many of her “finds” made up into costume jewellery. Yesterday she was wearing a bracelet and pendant of snowflakes obsidian. She also has matching earrings and a ring. Other jewellery comprises verisite, a green stone a little like turquoise found only in Utah, carnelian, and red, black, and green moss agate. Dr. McHugh, who has a 8.A., B.Sc., and a doctor of optometry, is on her way to attend the conference of the International Federation of of University Women in Brisbane. She is travelling with Mrs J. B. Pretty, a bacteriologist and a science teacher from San Bernadino, California.

Dr. McHugh has also held every office in the Salt Lake City branch of the American Association of University Women. She has served three years on the National Fellowship Funds Committee of the A.A.U.W. Her enthusiasm on this committee has earned her the title Catering Lift A 'new hoist-lift was used at Christchurch airport for the first time last night to handle food and equipment for an Air New Zealand Electra. The equipment was built locally and provided by the caterer to specificaions supplied by the airline. With the use of the adjustable lift—for either Boeing 7075, DCBs, or Electras—food; and catering equipment cari be either removed or placed aboard for flights with the minimum of time in one operation. Similar lifting equipment is also in use by the airline at Auckland.

of “Miss Fellowship.” Dr. McHugh celebrated her birthday yesterday. Mrs Petty arranged for a birthday cake to be served at lunch. The hotel manager presented her with a book on New Zealand. Later the two went for a flight to Mount Cook. They returned to their hotel to find letters, birthday greeting cards and parcels from friends in the United States awaiting Dr. McHugh.