Time and money limit children’s eye care, says study

A study has revealed that time and money is the main barrier to children under 5 years old getting eye examinations.  

A qualitative study on 30 community optometrists, conducted by the University of London, identified the top barriers to eye examinations for young children was time and money; range of attitudes; awareness and communication; knowledge, skills and confidence, and clinical setting. 

Meanwhile, key themes needed to enable eye examinations for young children were improved behaviour of eye care professionals’ towards pediatric care; enhancing training and education; raising awareness of access for all children’s ages and enhancing eye care services. 

It said that practices tend to restrict appointment times and that GOS eye examination fees do not cover the necessary time to assess young children, which has created extra pressure on the optometrists, discouraged additional appointments for cycloplegic refraction and cause difficulty providing quality services.