BACK TO SCHOOL

MANY parents across Scotland are breathing a sigh of relief as children prepare to return to school. Gettinwwg children organised for school can be a busy time for parents. A uniform, backpack and stationery are considered essentials for the school year, but have you remembered to book an eye test for your little scholars? Good eyesight is fundamental when children are learning. On average, around one-in-five children has an undetected vision problem and risks being at a disadvantage at school. Martin O’Neill, chairperson for Specsavers in Scotland, says: ‘We’ll examine children at any age where parents might have observed something unusual or there’s a family history of eye conditions or wearing glasses from an early age. ‘Otherwise, we’d recommend all children have their first eye examination by no later than three-years-old so we can rule out the presence of any eye conditions. ‘Around 80 per cent of everything a child learns is through their vision, so even a minor problem with a child’s sight has the potential to affect their development at school. But, if diagnosed early, conditions such as lazy eye and squints can be rectified before they become permanent.’ It’s easy to let things like an eye examination slip past but booking an appointment is simple – and free in Scotland. With a huge range of frames available which are free on the NHS, there’s bound to be a pair your child will love.

The test

David McGinty, director of Specsavers Aberdeen, comments: ‘Specsavers has been looking after children’s eyes for more than 30 years. ‘For most children their first visit to the opticians is an adventure, while others can be unsure of the process. ‘That’s why we have invested a great deal of time and care into tailoring the examination process to ensure every child is comfortable and enjoys their visit. ‘We put kids at ease by simplifying things and always encourage them to ask questions and feel involved. ‘Depending on the child’s age, we use pictures rather than letters. We also use small, specially-designed frames and cards to check for everything from astigmatism to colour blindness as well as overall health and wellbeing.’

Spotting problems

For many parents it can come as a shock to learn that their little one’s eyesight is not quite as good as it should be. Problems in far or near vision sometimes become apparent after children start reading or studying for long periods of time after a school break.

short sightedness

If your child is displaying more than one of the above signs on a regular basis, it is worth getting their eyes tested. Regular tests are so important, and don’t forget an eye test looks at so much more than just vision – the eye can reveal other wider health issues. As well as encouraging parents to get their children’s eyes tested before the school term, Specsavers has also partnered up with Thomson Screening to introduce vision screening software to schools across the country. The three-minute screening test, designed to be operated by teachers, can detect the most common eye problems that affect children and a report is generated for children to take home to their parents/guardians.

“Good eyesight is fundamental when children are learning” “Regular tests are so important” “...booking an appointment is simple - and free in Scotland”