Release date: for immediate release

Eye examinations and computer games could help local children make the grade

Local optician (insert name) has teamed up with national sight charity, the Eyecare Trust, to highlight the importance of regular sight testing for children and encourage parents to take their children for a ‘back-to-school’ eye examination.

The Trust estimates that one in five school children has an undiagnosed vision problem that could interfere with their ability to learn. Yet, worryingly, half of all parents surveyed by the charity say they have never taken their children for a sight test*.

The ability to see well during a child’s early years (before the age of 12) is crucial as vision accounts for as much as 80 per cent of the learning process. “Some children are inaccurately labelled as slow or poor learners or even dyslexic when in fact they are struggling to cope with an undetected vision condition,” explains (insert name) of (insert practice name).

(Insert name) continues: “It’s often difficult for parents, carers and teachers to spot if a child is having difficulty seeing clearly, however, classic tell-tale signs that there could be something wrong include struggling to recognise colours and shapes; not showing any interest in learning to read; complaining about headaches and sitting very close to the television.”

It’s vital that common childhood conditions, such as squint**, amblyopia (lazy eye)*** and myopia (short-sightedness)**** are detected as early as possible.

Many parents still believe that children’s sight is monitored at school however; children only receive one basic eye check in their reception year (check with your individual school for details). This should not replace regular, comprehensive eye examinations at your local optician. As well as testing visual acuity, a full eye examination will also assess how well the eyes work as a team and measure visual tracking – whether a child can control precise eye movements like those required when reading.

The Eyecare Trust recommends all children have a full eye examination at least once every two years unless advised otherwise by their optometrist. Sight tests for all children up to the age of 16 (and 19 if they are in full-time education) are free on the NHS.

Parents are also entitled to a voucher towards the cost of any glasses or contact lenses prescribed for their child. The value of the voucher depends on the prescription needed.

If your child is diagnosed with a vision problem you may even be surprised by the treatment your son or daughter is prescribed says Dharmesh Patel, Chairman of the Eyecare Trust: “Limited use of computer and 3D games can actually help improve a child’s vision. Electronic games encourage repetitive eye movements that help train the eye to focus, whilst viewing 3D media can help improve binocular vision by encouraging the eyes to work as a team.”

So, as children return for the start of the new school year now is the ideal time to take them for an eye examination to ensure they make the most of their education. “After all,” (insert name) continues, “children’s sight tests are free on the NHS – the only investment parents need to make is their time!”

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For more press information please contact:

(insert name of optician) of (insert name of practice) on (insert telephone number) or email (insert email address).

Notes to Editors

The Eyecare Trust is a registered charity that exists to promote awareness of ocular health and the importance of good eyecare.

Insert line about your practice

* State of the Nation’s Eyes Study canvassed 4,000 adults across the UK (OnePoll and Shape the Future).

** A squint is a condition where the eyes do not look together in the same direction. Whilst one eye looks straight ahead, the other eye turns to point inwards, outwards, upwards or downwards. Squints are common and affect about 1 in 20 children.

*** Amblyopia is a condition vision is poor because of lack of use of the eye in early childhood. In most cases, only one eye is affected, but it sometimes affects both eyes. Amblyopia is often referred to as ‘lazy eye’.

**** Short-sightedness (myopia) is a common eye condition that causes distant objects to appear blurred, while close objects can be seen clearly.