Federal Member for Gilmore PHILLIPS MP FIONA

from The Bugle 15 July 2023

Juniors take on State

Eyes over the years - part iv

Kids vision:

Children learn more through vision than all other senses combined, and 1 in 5 primary aged children have an eye or vision condition. I believe this could be increasing. In a recent school screening I found 30% of approximately 100 kids failed the screening, double the rate 4 years ago at the same school with the same tests.

How can I tell if my child has good vision?

Sometimes it can be difficult to tell how well your child sees, especially when they are very young. Until about age 11, children often assume that how they see is normal. A visit to the optometrist will check that their eyes are healthy and vision is developing as expected.

At what age should children have their first eye examination?

We recommend that all children have a full eye examination with an optometrist before starting school and regularly (every two to three years) as they progress through primary and secondary school. We routinely see infants, often when there is suspected eye turn.

Jean Anderson