Number of children registered blind rises

THE NUMBER of children registered blind or partially sighted has risen as survival rates for severely premature babies improve, according to new findings.

There has been a 9% rise in children registered blind or partially sighted from 10,947 in 2006 to 11,928 last year, according to an analysis of British data by the charity Blind Children UK. A mong under-f ives, there was a 12% rise over that period from 1,622 to 1,813 in this category.

The charity said the increase has come as overall survival rates among babies born between 22 and 25 weeks rose significantly from 40% in 1995 to 53% in 2006.

The earlier a child is born, the greater the risk of vision impairment, with one in 20, or 5%, of severely premature babies now likely to be born blind, the charity said.

In spite of the growing numbers, the charity said its own survey of parents with children with sight loss showed they had reported feeling “depressed, isolated or upset” by the struggles they faced.

Parents said they had difficulties accessing playgrounds and events in their local area with their child. There were instances of children being rejected from schools and nurseries as well as swimming lessons because of their vision impairment.

Blind Children UK said it was promoting advice for parents on how to spot early sight loss.

The charity’s campaign has the backing of Lord Holmes, the Paralympic swimmer, who is blind.