Children's sight at risk because of parental ignorance.

There has been a rise in concerns that parents failing to get their child's eyes tested could mean that their children are suffering with eye conditions that haven't been diagnosed.

A poll conducted on behalf of the Association of Optometrists (AoP) showed that over half (52%) of parents with children think that their child's sight is tested at school. However, the AoP stated that this is a misunderstanding and that sight tests aren't routinely offered at British schools.

In the case of the possible eye conditions children may have, some of them can be treated more successfully if they're diagnosed and treated early. A survey of 1,200 optomtrists found that almost three quarters of them had seen children in the past year with vision problems that could have been treated more successfully if they had been diagnosed at an earlier age.

The AoP are hoping to change this by running a campain called 'A B See'. This campaign urges parents to take their children for an NHS-funded eye test at their local optician every two years, or more often if recommended to reduce the risks of eye confiditions and help their children reach their full potential.

• eye test
• Children
• PARENTS
• Health