Research proves fears for kids' vision

Half of the nation's parents fail to take their children for regular eye check-ups.

New research on parental attitudes has warned that many chose to believe that their children's eyes are adequately tested at school.
The study, conducted for the College of Optometrists, was presented to the media this week. It revealed eye care comes low on the list of priorities in family life.

When compared to other decisions made by parents the results show that 13 per cent of parents place a greater importance on their children's fitness, clothing and teeth than they do on their vision.

Of the parents who don't take their children for regular check-ups, 50 per cent say they never visit an optician themselves. When asked why they didn't take their children for regular eye checks a quarter believed this role was carried out at school.

However, the College pointed out that this is rarely the case, and Kevin Lewis, its president, said parents needed to take responsibility for having their children's vision checked.

He said parents should realise the importance of vision and made the point that without good vision, kids would not do well in other areas.
'We know a good education is vital, but if a child can't see properly, they won't achieve their full potential at school,' he said.

Elsewhere in the report one in five parents said they thought their children's eyes were fine and did not need an eye examination though 35 per cent admitted they didn't really have any idea what would constitute a good reason for having their kids' eyes tested.

One in five thought their children needed to be able to read to have a test and 11 per cent said they would only take their children to an optician if they started squinting or complained of poor sight.