Submitted by administrator on
Although a number of campaigns have been run in the last year in a bid to increase eye testing for youngsters and children at an early age, it seems many primary care trusts are continuing to fail in this department according to a new Which? report published for 2011.
The Department of Health has continually listed free in-school eye testing as a mandatory expectation for PCT's as opposed to a recommended service. However, following the latest reports it appears that trusts are not only failing to better their service, but overall are worryingly falling even further behind in comparison to last year. The Which? report has noticed a 9% rise over the last 12 month period of PCT's failing to offer free in school eye testing facilities. This takes the current percentage to an alarming 19%.
The importance of regular eye testing from an early age has been highlighted by many organisations and charities, including the Back to School push but it doesn't seem to have made a big enough impact judging by recent results. Many fear that children are simply being left behind and face uncertain adult futures simply down to their visual abilities while growing up. With some children failing to receive early eye testing in any form, many are beginning their learning processes with impaired vision, and through no fault of their own, finding subjects and lessons more difficult than their fellow classmates. With a pressure upon them to not stand out as appearing unable to fulfill work assignments and projects, numbers of children with undiagnosed eye sight related problems simply fade in to the background. Not only does their education suffer but many begin to withdraw due to a frustration at being left behind and self esteem issues soon follow.