Daniel Hardiman-McCartney of the College of Optometrists has said school vision screening is a good safety net for children’s vision, but it is not as useful as an eye test at a local optician.
The comments, made in a recent BBC news story, came about after the college found many parents are confused about their children’s eye health, and only take them for a test if they notice a problem. It is thought one in five children have an undetected issue with their eyes.
Does your local authority even provide school vision screening?
The UK National Screening Committee recommends vision screening for children aged four to five, but about 11% of local authorities do not offer it in schools. Schools usually signpost parents to opticians and the NHS if they can’t offer it, but appointments often get delayed or forgotten. Conditions like lazy eye are among those that get missed if not treated early.
Children under 16, and under-19s in full-time education, are entitled to free NHS-funded eye tests and, if needed, free glasses with a range of styles to suit every personality. If your child would rather use contact lenses, there are many options to consider, even for children as young as eight.
Independent optometrists like Optomeyes Eyecare go out of their way to make sure children feel at home when they visit. Sue Wassell said: “When your child visits the practice, we try to ensure they are as relaxed as possible. We use symbols, colours and matching games instead of a letters chart, and children are often intrigued by our screens and machinery.”
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What are the eye health issues that are easily overlooked?
- Blurry or fuzzy vision: Difficulty seeing clearly, especially at certain distances (near or far).
- Eye strain: Feeling tired or uncomfortable in the eyes, especially after prolonged screen time or reading, rubbing eyes excessively.
- Headaches: Frequent headaches, particularly those originating behind the eyes or in the temples.
- Floaters and flashes: Small specks or squiggles (floaters) that appear to dart away when you try to look at them, or flashes of light.
- Sensitivity to light: Increased discomfort or pain when exposed to bright light.
- Difficulty seeing at night: Trouble with night vision, especially while driving.
- Changes in colour perception: Difficulty distinguishing between colours, particularly blue and yellow.
- Dry eyes: Occasional or persistent dryness, burning, or stinging sensations.
- Eye twitching: Involuntary muscle spasms in the eyelids.
- Head tilting or squinting: compensating for misalignment in the eye/possible lazy eye.