Don’t ignore vision test letters

Parents with children who have newly entered P2 across Monklands are being urged not to ignore letters inviting their youngster to have an orthoptic preschool vision test.

Last year the pandemic paused this service and some children who should have received the 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, said: “It is really important that a child has this test before they are any older so 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 there is no longterm 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.”

Charity Sense Scotland, which supports hundreds of disabled people and their families across thousands of projects and services, has embarked on a recruitment drive for support workers in Lanarkshire.

Here, we speak to two Sense

Scotland employees who have very different roles within two Lanarkshire service centres.

They explain what it takes to do their jobs – and how their natural affinity with the people they support has the power to enrich lives.