Pre-School Orthoptist

Pre-school Orthoptist

Vision Screening

Nursery Eye Sight Check-up

Information for Parents/Carers

What is happening?

NHS Lothian Orthoptic service is offering all children a free eyesight check-up in their preschool year.The eyesight check-up is for children eligible to start school the following year. These tests pick up eye problems that can be easily corrected with glasses (spectacles) and/or an eye patch.

It is important that this vision screening test is carried out at this age as this allows time to correct any eyesight problems before your child starts school.

Why is this happening?

This is happening in response to the Scottish Government’s Health for All Children Policy,which recommends that all children should be offered an eyesight test before they start school. Orthoptists are trained to test for and treat eyesight problems in young children.

What does the test involve?

The test is designed to be simple for pre-school children. It takes about 10 minutes and involves matching pictures or letters and looking at a light. No eye-drops are used. The test should show any problems with the eyesight or a squint. After the test, a note of the child’s result will be left with the nursery staff who will then pass this onto you when the child is collected.

What happens if a problem is found?

If a problem with your child’s eyesight is suspected, your 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.

If, after a normal result, you still have worries about your child’s eyesight, you should seek advice from your general practitioner (GP) or a local optician.

How will the eyesight test be arranged?

Parents or Carers information leaflets will be sent to the nursery for distribution by the nursery staff 3-4 weeks before the orthoptist’s planned visit to your child’s nursery, with these forms to be returned to the nursery staff.

If you wish your child to opt out of vision screening or your child already attends the hospital eye service, please complete the section in the leaflet to opt out and return to the nursery with other completed consent forms. These will be passed to the orthoptist on the day of screening.

A child cannot be tested if the parents/carers have opted out of the screening test.

If you need to discuss anything about the test, please call the Orthoptic Department, Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion on 0131 536 3765.

For information about scheduling visits, please contact the Pre-school Screening Administrator on 0131 446 4119.