Parents urged to book eye test for kids

Parents with children starting P2 across Lanarkshire are being urged not to ignore letters inviting their youngster to have an orthoptic pre-school vision test.

Last year the pandemic paused this service and some children who should have received this test in their last year of nursery missed out.

Now as the country begins to open up, it is important that vision tests are carried out to ensure that any abnormalities are still treatable.

Parents of those children who missed their test last year are being offered the opportunity by NHS Lanarkshire to make an appointment for their child with a local optometrist who will carry out an eye examination including a vision screening test.

Dr Rachel McKay, professional lead for orthoptics explained:“It is really important that a child has this test before they are any older so that we can detect any visual abnormalities and start treatment as soon as possible.

“Unfortunately, this is normally done in a child’s last year at nursery but with the pandemic this was put on hold.

“Now we are writing to all the parents of the children moving in to P2 who missed their test last year and offering them the opportunity to book an appointment with a local optometrist.

“I cannot stress how important it is that parents take the time to have this test done for their child.

“This test can detect any visual abnormalities a child may have and we can start treatment right away to ensure that there is no long-term impairment to a child’s eyesight.”A list of local optometrists will be included with the letter, along with information on what to do after the test has been carried out.

Dr McKay added:“Having this test could make a massive difference to a child’s eyesight in the future so please make an appointment as soon as possible.”

Children entering P1 will be seen in their classes and all children in their pre-school nursery year will be screened in nursery this year.