Parents unclear on when children need eye tests

Many parents in the South East do not know when to take their children for an eye test, a new survey has suggested.

Research by the eye care industry has found significant confusion about children's eye health.

A British Journal of Ophthalmology study revealed children's eyesight was steadily getting worse and childhood short-sightedness (myopia) was increasing - half the population is expected to be myopic by 2050.

Dr Gillian Rudduck, president of The College of Optometrists, said: "Being able to see clearly is critical for children's overall development, and going for regular eye tests is essential to ensure that children can see as well as possible."

The Association of British Dispensing Opticians (ABDO), the College of Optometrists and the Optical Suppliers' Association (OSA) collaborated with the website Mumsnet to review five years of parental and carer conversations about children's vision and eye health.

The research found that one in five parents did not rate children's eye tests as a very important check.

Denise Voon, clinical adviser at The College of Optometrists, said: "If eye conditions that develop in childhood, such as squint and lazy eye, are not picked up at an early age the child may have permanently reduced vision in one or both eyes.

"The earlier eye problems are detected, they can get access to faster treatment to improve their vision and support them to thrive in all areas of their childhood."

Rhiannon Evans from Mumsnet said it was clear that there was a "huge amount of confusion" around children's eye health, and while dental check-ups were a priority, eye tests often were not.

Oliver Tanna-White, an optometrist with Leighton's Opticians in Haywards Heath, Sussex, said: "If you can pick these things up early that has a huge bearing on a child's development."

The report recommends parents and carers take children for regular NHS-funded eye tests from age 3-4 years or every 1-2 years, unless advised otherwise by an optometrist.

It adds that if you have concerns before this age "do not delay" in contacting your local opticians or speak to your health visitor.

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