Back to school rush leaves parents’ to-do list incomplete

A survey, involving 1,000 parents with school-aged children, highlighted the array of tasks such as purchasing new uniforms, shoe fitting and sorting out transport; all part of an extensive list that seems to go on and on.

Amongst these back-to-school preparations are also securing new pencil cases and pencils, acquiring books, and sewing in name labels. Yet, a mere 20% will consider arranging eye tests as part of their pre-term planning.

The study, initiated by Specsavers, coincides with the launch of their ‘Eye Screen Van’, designed to encourage parents to focus on their kids’ vision. The van is touring locations including London’s South Bank and Edinburgh’s Royal Botanical Garden, providing ice lollies and visual screening tools to help detect eyesight issues in youngsters.

Specsavers’ clinical services director Giles Edmonds stressed the necessity of eye exams for children, saying: “A lot of parents assume that because their child doesn’t display any signs of a vision problem, there’s no need to have their eyes tested.”

“However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Ensuring your child has regular eye examinations from an early age is incredibly important for several reasons. Given more than 80% of our learning, cognitive and social abilities are facilitated through our sight, it’s extremely important to your child’s overall development.”

“Poor eyesight can cause learning and behavioural problems. Conditions such as squinting and amblyopia (lazy eye) can be treated more effectively if they are picked up earlier, which could make a huge difference to your child.”

“An eye test doesn’t just check vision. It can also detect other underlying health conditions.”

Just over a quarter (26%) of parents polled said their child had experienced problems at school which could be linked to vision. The most common issues raised includes struggling to see the whiteboard (37%), having to move to the front of the classroom to see (33%) or experiencing headaches (28%).

A fifth (22%) say their children have had difficulties during PE lessons, because they weren’t able to see a ball properly and 24% of kids have expressed reluctance to have their eyes tested, according to the figures.

It also emerged that one in four kids, aged four to 16, have never had an eye test, and a further 17% haven’t had one in two years or longer.

Little progress has been made in the last 15 years as research carried out by Specsavers in 2009 showed just under a quarter (23%) of children aged between three and 12 had never had an eye test.

Children under the age of 16, as well as those under 19 in full-time education, are entitled to an NHS-funded eye test and free glasses at any high street optician, however, 22% of parents are not aware of this.

Giles Edmonds stated: “We understand how many things parents have to think about, especially during the summer holidays and before the new school year starts.”

“By showing up with our eye screen van, we hope we’ve put eye tests on parents’ radars as they play a significant role in setting children up for a happy and fulfilling school life.”