Eye experts defend children's services

Nov 13 2007 by Paul James, The Journal

EYE experts in the North-East yesterday defended their services after a report claimed children were being “failed” by NHS screening.

The study, from the Association of Optometrists (AOP), said 5% of children aged six and 10% of 12-year-olds have an uncorrected eye problem, and that children were not receiving vital eye care under the current programme.

The association called on the Government to actively promote free sight tests available for children at high street opticians.

But staff at the Children’s Eye Clinic at Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI) yesterday said screening by their orthoptists has been shown to be the best way of spotting any problems, and moved to let parents across the region know how best to access services.

Acting head orthoptist at the RVI, Kathryn Smart, said changes were also under way to ensure services meet recommendations made by the National Screening Committee that all children should be screened for visual impairment between the ages of four and five, either by orthoptists or by professionals trained and supported by them.

The report from the AOP, which commissioned the report with the Association of British Dispensing Opticians and the Federation of Ophthalmic and Dispensing Opticians, said many children were not receiving vital eye care, that levels of vision screening vary across the UK, and there has been no review of the programme or its effectiveness since its inception.

Yesterday Mrs Smart said: “In line with current guidelines a well-established children’s vision screening service is led by orthoptists who work closely with both specialist paediatric ophthalmologists at the RVI and community staff in local primary care trusts including optometrists, paediatricians and health visitors.

“Orthoptists are highly trained healthcare professionals specialising in assessing and treating children’s eye problems such as squints, lazy eyes and eye movement disorders.

“Research has shown that they are the most accurate of professionals when detecting children’s vision problems.”

She said that on top of the standard checks, additional services are also available for children before their routine eye test.

The current system has been in place since the recommendation in 2003 that children be screened between the ages of four and five in an orthoptist-led programme.

Mrs Smart added: “If parents or carers are concerned about a child’s eyes before their routine test is due health visitors or doctors can refer them to the community orthoptist in each area for a check at a local health clinic.

“Parents can also ring to request an earlier eye check if they are concerned. Requesting this early check is particularly important if they think a child has a squint or if there is a strong occurrence of squint or lazy eye in the family.”

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Screening services available for youngsters in North-East

IN NORTHUMBERLAND routine eye screening at the age of three and a half has recently been replaced by checks at primary schools, where children are now seen between the ages of four and five. From September 2008 children in Newcastle will also be checked in this way, until then they will continue to be offered an appointment at the age of three and a half for an eye check at their local clinic. In the North Tyneside area children will continue to have their vision checked between the age of four and five at school.

The orthoptists from the RVI are also currently working together with Gateshead Primary Care Trust to improve the vision screening service for children in the Gateshead area.

Anyone with concerns or questions about children’s eye tests can contact orthoptists in Newcastle on (0191) 219-4670, in Northumberland on (01670) 564030 or in North Tyneside on (0191) 219-6672.