Children's Vision Screening Is Failing, Awareness Of Free NHS Sight Tests For Under-16s Must Be Increased, UK

Main Category: Eye Health / Blindness
Also Included In: Pediatrics / Children's Health
Article Date: 22 Oct 2007 - 1:00 PDT

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A report released today (22 October 2007) finds that the current arrangements for the screening of children's eyes are failing and recommends that the government actively promotes the availability of free NHS sight tests for children at high street optometrists.

It calls upon the government to conduct a review of the current availability and effectiveness of vision screening in schools and states that many children are not receiving vital eye care under the current programme.

The report quotes research from Aston University that shows 1 in 20 Year 2 children (6-7 year olds) has an uncorrected problem with their eyes and by the time children reach Year 8 (12-13 year olds) this figure rises to one in ten.

Undetected problems can seriously damage a child's eye health, affect the child's social and academic development and lead to permanent visual problems in later life.

It is important to note that a school vision screening programme may test a child's binocular vision, eye movement and check for specific eye problems such as amblyopia (lazy eye) or strabismus (squint). A full eye test conducted by an optometrist is a comprehensive eye health check up which will detect any defects in vision. It will also check for signs of abnormality, disease or injury and symptoms of general health conditions.

The levels of vision screening vary across the UK, and there has been no review of the programme or its effectiveness since its inception. In areas where there is little or no screening, it is vital that parents are made aware of the availability of free NHS eye tests for under 16s at their local optometrists.

The government is urged to work more actively with the optical sector to increase awareness and to implement a strategy to improve the eye health of all children to give them the best possible start in life. Parents and teachers should also be informed of the signs they should look out for regarding children's eye health.

David Butler, chief executive, National Confederation of Parent Teacher Associations (NCPTA) welcomes the report on children's eye health:

"Parents will be interested in the points highlighted by the report; which acts as a useful reminder of the importance of regular eye tests for our children. Poor eye health can have a significant impact on a child's learning and so it is vital for parents to know what they need to be aware of.

"The report provides evidence of the need for children to have their eyesight tested regularly and at an early enough stage for problems to be treated effectively. Parents will value the information and feel better informed on the issue of their child's eye health."

Professor David Thomson, Head of Department of Optometry and Visual Sciences at City University said: "In an ideal world all children would be taken for regular eye examinations by an Optometrist and a publicity campaign may help raise awareness. I believe that this should be backed up with high quality vision screening in schools ideally at the age of 4/5, 7 and 11"

Notes:

Copies of the report are available from the Association of Optometrists (AOP), the Association of British Dispensing Opticians (ABDO) and the Federation of Ophthalmic and Dispensing Opticians (FODO).

The report was written by Henry de Zoete a freelance healthcare consultant, formerly of independent think-tank Reform.

The current programme was implemented after Health for all Children; Fourth Edition (2003) recommended that 4 to 5 year olds be screened in an orthoptist-led programme.

There are currently 1283 registered orthoptists in the UK and over 660,000 4 to 5 year olds. In England and Wales there are over 9000 registered Optometrists.

Definitions:

Ophthalmologist: a doctor trained in the diagnosis and management, including surgery, of disorders of vision.

Optometrist: a health professional trained to detect and correct refractive errors, to screen for eye disorders and prescribe treatment for some common eye conditions

Orthoptist: a health professional trained in the diagnosis and management of ocular mobility disorders, ocular misalignments (squints or strabismus) and amblyopia (lazy eye).

Source:
Stuart Cole
Press & Communications Office
Association of Optometrists
61 Southwark Street
London SE1 0HL
http://www.aop.org.uk

For further information please go to:
Association of Optometrists

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