Vision at risk as UK children fail to go for eye tests

British optometrists have expressed concerns over new research estimating that a million children in the UK have an undetected vision problem. Although eye tests are free to children under the age of 18 and financial help is available towards glasses, only 7% of British children under five years have had an eye test and almost 70% of British schools do not have vision screening programmes. Bob Hughes, chief executive of the Associate of Optometrists has called it "an absolute public health disgrace".



Good vision depends on two systems: the capability of the eye to see and the ability of the brain to develop images. The first eight years are critical as both of these systems are actively developing.



For example, in children under 12, eyes are especially susceptible to UV absorption as the clear lenses have not fully formed. Exposure to UV glare during this time can cause long-term damage in the form of cataracts and macular degeneration later in life.



With the neurological vision system, anything that interferes with clear vision can cause amblyopia or ‘lazy eye’. This condition is not an eye disease, and cannot be corrected directly by glasses or contact lenses as it is related to the way that the brain has developed to receive images - both eyes must receive clear images during this period to stimulate the brain and ‘teach’ it to interpret images correctly. Even if your child corrects their eye problem later in life, if lazy eye is left untreated the image interpreted at a neural level may still be unclear. It is estimated that 3% of children under 6 years have some form of amblyopia.



Besides vision problems, opticians are now expressing concerns that undetected sight problems can easily be mistaken for learning difficulties, dyslexia and behavioural problems, having an impact not just on a child’s sight but also restricting their general development.



Opticians recommend that children have their eyes checked at birth, at 6 months and continue to go for annual eye tests until 7 or 8 years of age. However if you suspect your child has difficulties seeing it’s advisable that you bring them to an optician, GP or eye surgeon earlier. In the UK, NHS sight tests are free for children in full-time education under 18. Children are also able to take an eye test with pictures rather than letters if they’re unable to read.



Opticians estimate that up to 50% of people with vision loss could have avoided this if their problems were spotted early and the importance of childhood sight tests cannot be underestimated.