Children's eye problems going undetected

28th April 2011 - Avoidable and lifelong problems with vision could be going undetected in children according to the consumer magazine Which?

An estimated 10 to 20% of children are likely to have a significant vision problem that could be detected by a simple three minute test. NHS funded sight tests are free to under 16s; however, freedom of information (FOI) requests submitted by Which? revealed that one in ten primary care trusts (PCTs) do not arrange eye tests for four to five year olds.  A further 42 did not respond to the FOI requests, and therefore the figure could be much higher.

Even when screening is offered, uptake ranged from 99% to just 35%.

Healthy Child programme

Eye examinations for four to five year olds are part of the national Healthy Child Programme and the Department of Health expects PCTs to provide them. A spokesperson told us by email: "As part of the Healthy Child Programme, PCTs should be screening four and five year olds for visual impairment. We are aware that some areas are screening more children than others and we are encouraging regional Directors of Public Health to match best practice."

Poor eyesight can have a significant effect on a child's ability to learn and on their behaviour yet often goes unrecognised by teachers, parents and by the children themselves who may not complain about poor vision because they just assume that's the way it is.

Richard Lloyd, executive director of Which? said in a press statement: "The Department of Health told us it knows that some PCTs are failing to carry out these tests.

"These simple, three-minute tests can make such a big difference to a child's life - we'd like to see the government take decisive action to make sure all children get their eyes screened."

After eight could be too late

The Eyecare Trust is a charity which aims to help people understand the importance of good eye care and has been a leading voice in campaigning to ensure that all children benefit from vision screening.

Trustee and optometrist, Rosie Gavzey, said in a statement: "It's tragic that vision problems such as amblyopia, or 'lazy eye', that can often be successfully corrected in early life, are missed due to a lack of vision screening or childhood eye examinations.

"Parents need to be aware that children should have regular eye examinations even if they have no apparent vision problems. Things that go undetected can become impossible to correct in later years. The watch words should be 'after eight can be too late' so find out if you child's vision will be screened and take children for regular eye tests!"

If your local PCT does not carry out sight tests on four to five year olds then remember NHS sight tests are free for all children and are available at your local opticians. Read more about The Association of Optometrists' children's eye health campaign.