The positive impact of good vision on social, educational and physical development is being highlighted through a campaign in Western Sydney being undertaken by Optometry Giving Sight (OGS) and George & Matilda.
Optometry Australia estimates that one in four Australian children (600,000 nationally) are affected by undetected vision problems, which can have a negative influence on education and learning. Indeed, according to OGS, most children with behavioural or academic problems fail one or more vision tests.
OGS and George & Matilda recently screened around 400 children at Liverpool Public School, at the first of many school screenings they have planned. Staff from George & Matilda and students from UNSW School of Optometry combined to provide vision screening over three days. Testing included visual acuity, colour vision, retinoscopy, ophthalmoscopy and cover test, and following the screening, each child’s parents received a letter with their child’s results. Over one third received a letter recommending that they should contact an optometrist for a full eye examination.
Participating optometrist Griffin Ngo said, “Children with eye problems don’t know that they have a problem and the kids’ parents are sometimes not able to be proactive, so we bring the service to the parents. You can’t wait too long because this eye problem could have a significant impact on the development of the child. It impacts on schooling and behavioural issues”.
Ron Baroni, Australian Manager OGS, said, “We are pleased to be working with George & Matilda to bring school screening back to an area we worked in over four years ago.” It is vitally important that all children get every opportunity to be successful in life and good vision is important in achieving that good start.”
