Ophthalmic Services: Children
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he has taken to work with relevant authorities to improve the ocular health of children in England.
Answered by Ashley Dalton
All babies should receive a routine eye screening within 72 hours of birth as part of the newborn physical examination and again at around six weeks of age. Parents and carers are also encouraged to raise any concerns about their child’s health during the health and development reviews carried out with the health visitor.
The UK National Screening Committee also recommends vision screening in school for children aged four to five years to look for reduced vision in one or both eyes.
In addition, all children aged under 16, and under 19 in full time education are eligible for a free NHS eye test, available at opticians. Integrated Care Boards are also in the process of rolling out free NHS sight tests in special educational settings for children and young people with learning disabilities and/or autism across England.
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