RADICAL new online vision screening software is being provided free of charge to all schools in Brecon, following a study revealing that millions of children have never had an eye test.

The three-minute screening test, developed by optometrists and vision scientists at City University London, can detect the most common eye problems that affect children. As well as long and short sight, these include astigmatism, lazy eye and squints. Following a sight test, a report is automatically generated to help parents or guardians make a more informed decision about their child’s eyes.

The software, which has been funded by high street opticians Specsavers for their Screening for Schools campaign, is designed to be operated by teachers and other school staff or volunteers, and is being made available free to 27,000 primary and secondary schools throughout the UK.

 

 

Specsavers’ research showed that in Wales 16.6% of parents said that their child had never had a sight test, the second worst performing region in the UK.

Specsavers Brecon store director Clare Corcoran said: "A child’s eyesight will continue to develop up to the age of eight years old and a number of conditions can be corrected by an optician if detected before this time. However, there is still a lack of general awareness among some parents and teachers about the importance of regular eye tests from the age of three or four. We have seen some cases where children have been misdiagnosed with dyslexia, ADHD or learning difficulties when in fact the child simply needs glasses."