Before your child starts school, they will be offered an eye test as part of the pre-school orthoptic vision screening or See4school programme.
This free eye test is undertaken by orthoptists who are eye professionals who are trained to test for and treat eyesight problems in young children. This early detection of eye problems, which can be easily corrected with glasses, eye patches or both will help your child begin school with the best vision possible.
What does the test involve?
The test is designed to be simple for pre-school children and is interactive and fun. It takes about 10 minutes and involves matching pictures or letters, and looking at a light. No eye-drops are used. The test identifies any problems with the vision in one or both eyes or a squint.
Orthoptists test children of all ages and abilities so can tailor the tests to your child’s needs.
After the test, a note of the child’s result within a sealed envelope will be left with the nursery staff to pass this onto the parent/carer when the child is collected.
What happens if a problem is found?
If your child is found to have difficulty with some aspects of the test, they may as a result be referred for further tests. You should receive a pink slip outlining the results of the screening. The slip will detail reason for the referral and the orthoptic department telephone number to contact if parents/carers have any further queries or concerns regarding the screening test/referral.
If a problem with eye-sight is suspected then the child will be referred to the Hospital Orthoptist, Ophthalmologist (Eye Doctor) or local Optician for further tests. If these further tests confirm that there is a problem, treatment will be offered. Treatment is usually with glasses (spectacles) and/or an eye patch.
The orthoptist will arrange a further appointment within the hospital eye service when required which will be sent to you in the post or issued with a form to ask you to attend your local optician for further tests .Every child is different and might not require the same type of referral.
If, after a normal result, the parent/carer still has worries about the child’s eye-sight, they should seek advice from their general practitioner (GP) or a local optician.
How will the eyesight test be arranged?
Most children will be seen for an eye test within their nursery with a date agreed between screening service and the nursery. Alternately you will receive an invite for a vision screening eye test at a locality clinic.
Giving permission
If your child is to be seen at nursery you will receive a vision screening questionnaire from your nursery in advance of the eye test. You have the option to opt-out of the screening test by completing the NO consent box on the questionnaire. Nursery staff to pass on forms to orthoptic staff on the day of the screening visit.
My child was absent on the day of the screening test. What will happen next?
If your child was absent on the day we visited their nursery, you will receive an appointment letter to bring your child into the Hospital or a Community Centre for the test. It can take a few weeks for the letter to come through.
More information can be found at www.nhsinform.scot/tests-and-treatments/routine-tests-and-examinations/childrens-vision-screening
