Local optician warns undiagnosed eye conditions can negatively impact education
Children with undiagnosed eye health conditions may face ‘severe’ consequences for their education and wellbeing, experts at Specsavers in Chesterfield have warned.
With the area’s kids going back to school, new research finds that despite children’s eye tests being free under the NHS, almost two fifths (38%) of parents say their child has not had one in the past two years.
The data comes in the lead up to National Children’s Eye Health month launching on September 23rd, an initiative by Specsavers to raise awareness of children’s eye health and reminding parents of the importance of regular eye tests for their children.
Allissa Charlesworth, Ophthalmic Optician at Specsavers Matlock and Chesterfield, comments: “Early detection of any sight issues is critical. At school about 80% of what children are taught is presented visually, therefore it is important to take your children for regular eye tests to detect any problems.”
“Between the ages of three and eight there is a real window of opportunity to identify and treat conditions such as myopia and lazy eye, which can have no outward symptoms.”
“Undiagnosed conditions such as myopia, or short sightedness, can severely impair education and general wellbeing.”
“An eye test is recommended every two years and under-16s receive a free NHS eye test at Specsavers. With that in mind, there is no reason to wait for something noticeably wrong before taking your child for a sight test – do it today.”
