Tuesday 23 October 2007

Young 'missing out on eye tests'

Full Story:
http://www.stopinjusticenow.com/News_0453.htm
Eye tests are free for under-16s on the NHS Eye problems are going undiagnosed in many children because of poor screening services and a low uptake of free NHS tests, experts have warned. A report from the Association of Optometrists says research suggests 5% of children aged six and 10% of 12 year olds have an uncorrected eye problem. Screening services in England are patchy and many parents do not know under-16s can get free tests, it said. The government said it was keen to ensure parents knew about free tests. The AOP, which commissioned the report with the Association of British Dispensing Opticians and the Federation of Ophthalmic and Dispensing Opticians, called for a review of how many children have access to vision screening. There needs to be more publicity highlighting the need for children to have a sight test Bob Hughes, Association of Optometrists In the past eye checks were carried out at various points in a child's life, by a health visitor or at school.

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