One million children at risk, says new study

A million children in the UK may have undetected vision problems but new research reveals that a quarter will go without an eye test during the first eight years of their lives.

To mark the second year of its Eye Know Eye Care campaign, Transitions Optical commissioned a study to look at the provision of eye care for children in the UK as the annual pre-school preparations are made.

Karen Sparrow of the Association of Optometrists, who spoke at a recent round table on the subject (Optician 27.08.10), said many conditions needed to be picked up early and parents were simply unaware of the facts. 'I would urge parents to remember taking their children to see the optician is just as important as the trip to the dentist, or having their feet measured.'