Childrens Eyecare Week

Kilcullen-based optometrist Nichola Kennedy has just sent in a reminder that next week is National Childrens Eyecare week, 14th-19th September.

It's an opportunity for parents to have their childs vision screened for any deficiency. The campaign by the Association of Optometrists (AOI) includes a special eye test its members are offering for young children to help detect any sight problems early, which enables the best treatment options. Proper levels of eye care can help prevent vision problems which can affect a child throughout their life.

AOI Optometric Advisor, Lynda McGivney Nolan, said that Irish children are missing out on early visual assessments compared to their European counterparts which is leading to many visual problems going undetected until it is too late to reverse them.

“Ideally all children should have their vision assessed by the age of three and then again at five, but many children in Ireland are not being seen until much later, if at all through the National School Screening system. This results in children being referred to the community ophthalmologist for further testing, but it can take up to two years depending on where you live to get an appointment. This delay can have huge consequences for a child's visual development."

Independent Optometrists participating in this campaign will have the 'Bright Eyes For Back to School' posters on display, and as well as offering this screening will have information leaflets for parents. The screening is available to any child of school-going age.

Call Nichola on 045-484643 and she'll give all the details.