Oxford optician encouraged parents to get regular check-ups for children's eyes
A new report reveals 1 in 10 parents only take their child for an eye test if a problem
An optometrist in Oxford is telling us that the earlier problems are picked up in children, the less it will impact their development and later life - as it's revealed many skip routine testing.
A new Children’s Eye Health Report reveals 1 in 10 parents only take their child for an eye test if a problem, while a further 18% wait until their child is at least five years old before going for their first eye test.
General advice states children should be visiting their optician bi-annually from the age of three.
Henry Logan, an optometrist at Gardiners Opticians in Headington, Oxford, says “the earlier you pick things up, the less likely that is then to affect their development as they grow up.”
He highlighted that whilst lazy eyes can be corrected, it can affect a child’s quality of life.
He said: “If you don't have full development with both left and right eyes, then you're less likely to see in stereo and you don't have 3D perception. So, you're using other cues in order to help you do normal tasks throughout the course of the day.”
Mr Logan also says that many parents may not take their children for an eye-test because they feel they can’t read the letters out, but explains there are other ways of treating children.
He says, “we can shine a light onto the back of the eye and we can pick up a reflex and then work out what their prescription is from that”.
The research has been commissioned by the Association of British Dispensing Opticians, The College of Optometrists and the Optical Suppliers Association.
The data shows one in twelve parents (8%) would visit their GP or call NHS 111 if their child was experiencing a slight change in vision rather than making an appointment at their local optician’s.
It also finds that over half (53%) of surveyed parents would go to straight to their GP for an eye infection issue and over a third (34%) would go to their GP for an eye discomfort issue instead of seeking advice at their local optician’s.
They say, “better signposting to eye care professionals on the High Street would prevent parents making unnecessary appointments with their GP, as optometrists based at local optician’s practices can offer advice and prescribe treatments such as eye drops.”