Research has estimates that a million children have an undetected vision problem, while almost 70% of UK schools do not have eye screening in what was described as "an absolute public health disgrace" by Bob Hughes, chief executive of the Association of Optometrists. "There are problems which can be corrected in young people's eyes and yet it's a buried issue, an unknown issue, that children are losing out on a good education because they can't see."
The effect of poor eye care on a child cannot be underestimated. Many children are diagnosed as dyslexic before it is realised they actually had a vision problem.
Children with sight problems will often struggle to learn to read. They find once their vision is corrected they are able to make sense of what is written in text books and on whiteboards, and the process of learning becomes a great deal more straightforward.
Ideally all children who are being diagnosed as dyslexic should have a full eye examination as a matter of course. Whilst it won't be the issue for all children, but it may be for some.
Many childhood eye conditions, such as lazy eye and squint, can be treated if they are picked up early as the eye and visual system are actively developing during the school years. Because of the way the brain adapts to information it receives, the children themselves may not be aware that they cannot see as well as everyone else, or may not be able to articulate their vision difficulties. Teachers can easily mistake a child struggling to see as having behavioural problems, whether they are socially withdrawn or attention-seeking and
over-boisterous.
There seems to be a wide lack of understanding about eye health.
At James Doyle we would urge parents to remember taking their children to see the optician is just as important as the trip to the dentist or having their feet measured.
Call today to book your Back To School eye test on 01625 548848
EYE HEALTH FACTS
■ NHS sight tests are free to children aged up to 18 in full-time education, and help towards the cost of glasses is available.
■ Children do not need to be able to read to have a sight test, as optometrists can use pictures instead of letters.
■ Only 7% of children aged under 5 are taken to the opticians.
■ 15% of secondary schoolchildren have never had their eyes tested.
■ An eye test can detect health problems such as diabetes or high blood pressure.
