Parents neglecting children's eyesight

ALMOST three-quarters of British parents are neglecting their children's eyesight, according to a survey released yesterday.

Research found that 71 per cent of parents of children under the age of nine have never taken their child to an optician and do not plan to do so.

The independent survey for opticians Specsavers showed that fear of cost appeared to be a major factor as a third of parents believed they would have to pay for an eye test.

And a total of 75 per cent thought that children's glasses were expensive, even though they are free with an NHS voucher.

Specsavers founder, Dame Mary Perkins, said: "Another contributing factor we found was that many parents believe their child would be teased if they wore glasses, as may have been usual during their own school days.

"Parents often don't realise that many children actually like wearing glasses now, thanks largely to popular characters such as Harry Potter and Spider-Man Peter Parker."

The figures emerge as another report released yesterday concludes that current arrangements for screening of children's eyes are failing.

It recommends that the government promotes the availability of free NHS eye tests for children at high street optometrists.

The report was written by the freelance healthcare consultant Henry de Zoete for the Association of Optometrists, the Association of British Dispensing Opticians and the Federation of Ophthalmic and Dispensing Opticians.

It quotes research from Aston University, in Birmingham, that shows one in 20 six to seven-year-olds has an uncorrected eye problem, rising to one in ten by the time children reach 12 and 13.