Get your child’s eyes tested

Scottish schoolchildren are being urged to sit an exam before the new term even starts as leading independent optical specialists, Black & Lizars, warns parents that one in five school-aged children has an undiagnosed vision problem that could interfere with their ability to learn.

Black & Lizars is keen to highlight the important role that vision plays in ensuring children enjoy school and go on to fulfill their academic potential as visual learning accounts for 80 per cent of the learning process.

Peter Ivins, Commercial Director of Black & Lizars said: “It is often difficult to detect problems with your child’s vision because changes can occur gradually without you or your child noticing. As a result, some children are inaccurately labeled as slow learners, dyslexic or even troublemakers when in fact they have an undetected vision condition. 

"An annual eye exam is important for all children, as good vision is vital in all aspects of education, particularly in reading abilities. If reading difficulties are identified, nowadays we have specific tests, including the use of colour filters, which can identify, quantify and help manage these conditions. I would encourage all parents to have their children's eyes examined as a routine habit. Eye examinations are now funded by the Scottish Government and are free for all."

There are many warning signs your child could have a vision or eye-related problem, including:

Pre-school age
Tend to bump into objects
Red eyes or lids
Excessive tearing
Avoid colouring, puzzles or detailed activity
Difficulty with eye-hand-body co-ordination
Rub eyes frequently
Encrusted eyelids

School-age children
Lose place while reading
Suffer headaches and tends to rub eyes frequently
Make frequent reversals when reading or writing
Poor handwriting
Hold reading material close
Red, sore or irritated eye

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