Eyes Ahead at School

Eyesight may be valued as one of the most important factors in a child’s development, but studies show that over a quarter of adults have never taken their child for an eye test. During the first 12 years of our lives, as much as 80% of learning is achieved through our vision, yet only 8% of parents would suspect their child to be underachieving at school because they can’t see properly.

Research conducted by The College of Optometrists shows that over a third of adults consider eyesight to be the most important factor in a child’s development – second overall only to education. However there is still a common misconception that children’s eyes cannot accurately be tested until they can read.

In fact, you do not have to wait for your child to read or even talk before taking them for a sight test – children can have their eyes examined as soon as they are old enough to open them. Between birth and 7 years is a critical stage in eye development and the earlier any problems are detected the more likely it is that they can be corrected.

One quarter of those who do not take their child for regular eye examinations believe they are tested at school. While vision screening may be carried out by orthoptists or school nurses in many schools, they are not as comprehensive as a full eye examination by a qualified optometrist. The availability of vision screening can vary between schools so parents should never assume the issue has been taken care of – if in doubt always check.

Of those who do not take their children for regular sight tests, one in five parents think check-ups are unnecessary because there’s ‘nothing wrong with their child’s eyes’. This assumption may be affecting the child’s education because children will not necessarily report if they can’t see something as they don’t know what is “normal”.

Taking your child for an eye examination is the only way to be sure that their eyes are working properly and are healthy. The eye examination should take no longer than 30 minutes, is free of charge under the NHS for anyone under 16 and unlike some other health tests it won’t hurt a bit!

Did you know...

• You do not have to wait for your child to read or even talk before you take him/her for a sight test – opticians can use a range of techniques to detect problems at a young age

• The majority of babies are born longsighted – the ability to focus on fine detail develops during the first few months

• At birth the eye is approximately ¾ the size of an adult’s eye

• A child’s vision is largely developed by the age of 8

• Amblyopia is the most common cause of sight loss in children – often referred to as ‘lazy eye’

• Beyond the age of 5 ½ years it becomes increasingly difficult to reverse amblyopia successfully and beyond 7 years it is usually impossible

• Under the NHS an eye examination is available for free to all children up to the age of 16, and under 19 if in full-time education

• Only a registered practitioner is permitted by law to supply children’s spectacles

• Following an eye examination, parents are entitled to a voucher towards the cost of any glasses or contact lenses prescribed

Typical warning signs of eye related problems are

Excessive blinking

An eye turning in or out

The child screwing their eyes up to see things

Peering closely at books and television

Bumping into objects

Poor performance at school

For further information visit - www.college-optometrists.org