What will your child see at school?

As primary schools reopen after the summer break on Monday next, local optometrist Nichola Kennedy is reminding parents to consider whether their child needs vision correction.

That's because up to a quarter of the children going to school for the first time will, statistically, have some level of vision problems.

And while there is a vision screening process at the end of the Junior Infants year, Nichola believes that is too late for some vision problems, and also may not pick up others.

In addition, referrals to confirm and treat a suspected problem through the public system can take up to two years. A typical concern is a 'lazy eye', and Nichola is blunt that two years is too long. "To have any chance of improving a lazy eye, it needs to be detected as early as possible ... at pre-school in my opinion … and treated immediately."

Most of a child's learning is visual — looking at boards, books, teachers and surroundings. If a child has undiscovered vision issues, they can't engage properly with these.

At Nichola Kennedy Optometrist, the team is particularly interested in all aspects of children's and young people's optometry, from paediatric through to teens and third level. "We also specialise in helping patients with special needs."

Call 045 484643 for further information.

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