Article Source: Specsavers
Last Updated: 29 July 2024 14:06
Monday 29th July SPECSAVERS has launched its first ever ‘eye screen’ van to put children’s eye health and eye tests at the top of parents' agendas.
Popping up at The Royal Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh, the van was not only equipped with ice lollies, but also visual screeners, to help identify any potential eyesight problems in children and alert their parents if they required a more thorough eye test.
The activity comes as new research conducted by Specsavers among parents in Scotland with kids aged 4-16, revealed that almost a quarter (22%) of children of this age have never had an eye test, and a further 12% haven’t had one in two years or longer.
This is despite 15% of parents in Scotland saying their child had experienced problems at school which could be linked to vision. The most common issues raised includes struggling to see the whiteboard (43%), experiencing discomfort because they are straining to see (36%) or having to move to the front of the classroom to see (21%).
Little progress has been in the last 15 years as research carried out by Specsavers in 2009, showed just under a quarter (23%) of UK children aged between 3-12 had never had an eye test.
The latest survey found the most common reasons parents across Scotland haven’t taken their child for an eye test is because they don’t know how frequently they need to go (33%) or they have no visible problems (17%). Other reasons include parents not being advised that their child needs an eye test (17%) or knowing at what age they should have one (17%).
Specsavers clinical services director Giles Edmonds said: ‘A lot of parents assume that because their child doesn't display any signs of a vision problem, there's no need to have their eyes tested.
‘However, this couldn't be further from the truth. Ensuring your child has regular eye examinations from an early age is incredibly important for several reasons. Given more than 80 per cent of our learning, cognitive and social abilities are facilitated through our sight, it's extremely important to your child's overall development.
‘Poor eyesight can cause learning and behavioural problems. Conditions such as squinting and amblyopia (lazy eye) can be treated more effectively if they are picked up earlier, which could make a huge difference to your child. An eye test doesn’t just check vision. It can also detect other underlying health conditions.’
The research also found that during school holidays, parents across Scotland have a back-to-school list of around 10 to 11 tasks, including everything from buying new school unforms (55%), shoe fittings (52%) and labelling personal items (45%). However, eye tests ranked lower (42%) alongside dental checks (42%).
Giles adds: “We understand how many things parents have to think about, especially during the summer holidays and before the new school year starts. By showing up with our eye screen van, we hope we’ve put eye tests on parents' radars as they play a significant role in setting children up for a happy and fulfilling school life.”
The research also found children in Scotland are reluctant to get their eyes tested. Nearly a half (48%) think it will hurt and nearly one in five just don’t want glasses (19%).
To combat this, Specsavers is looking at ways to make a visit to the opticians more fun with the launch of its friendly ‘Optomonsters’. Customers will start to notice the Optomonsters popping up in stores nationwide soon.
Image: 1 in 4 children have never had an eye test. Specsavers launch first-ever Eye Screen Van to get parents thinking about kids’ eye health this summer.
Sheila Fleet is thrilled to announce the opening of her contemporary two-storey jewellery shop at 4 Hanover Street, just off Princes Street.
READ MORELeith Makers is excited to invite you to be a part of their upcoming collaborative exhibition: Leith Connections, running from 6th - 31st August.
READ MOREChildren attending Dobbies Little Seedlings Club will get the chance to travel back hundreds of millions of years to learn about prehistoric plants and talk about their favourite dinosaurs!
READ MOREScottish trad supergroup Mànran will headline a one-off live show on the Mound this month, as part of the return of Innis & Gunn's popular Edinburgh Festival Fringe takeover.
READ MORESUSHISAMBA Edinburgh launches its famed Champagne Afternoon Tea, with a refreshing summer spin, whilst guests enjoy unparalleled views from the restaurant’s home on the 10th floor of W Edinburgh!
READ MOREHot on the heels of a thrilling TravFest25 programme, the Traverse Theatre has announced the first details of the exciting work audiences can look forward to seeing in the venue from September.
READ MOREEdinburgh's West End has welcomed an exciting new destination as Don't Tell Mama, the beloved local coffee shop, officially opens The West End Garden.
READ MOREVirgin Hotels Edinburgh is excited to announce the creation of a brand new role, adding the first-ever 'Director of Mischief' position to its team.
READ MOREEdinburgh Zoo has welcomed Scotland’s only sloth bear, Cipísek, from Zlin Zoo in the Czech Republic.
READ MOREPubLife, a UK-wide summer celebration of the '90s will take place in over 500 pubs, including 7 in Scotland.
READ MOREThis summer, as school holidays get underway, families are invited to enjoy a day out at Scone Palace with their Kids Go Free promotion.
READ MOREThe inaugural Scone Palace International Horse Trials will take place from 21st–24th August 2025 in the stunning grounds of Scone Palace and Perth Racecourse.
READ MOREToday, Collective is delighted to announce and open a new programme, Panorama: New Views of a City, running from Wednesday 9 July to Sunday 21 December 2025.
READ MOREThis summer, The LEGO Group is excited to bring its new Summer Fun with Music Creativity Workshop directly to families in Edinburgh!
READ MOREScotland's greatest running event, the AJ Bell Great Scottish Run, will return to Glasgow on Sunday 5th October and they want everyone to 'Be Your Greatest'.
READ MOREFamilies will have the chance to meet some of this year’s biggest blockbuster-inspired characters for free at Fort Kinnaird this summer, as part of a series of exciting meet and greet sessions.
READ MOREThis week, the globally acclaimed venue, The Famous Spiegeltent makes her grand return to St Andrew Square after almost a decade away from her spiritual home.
READ MORENewtongrange Community Council is now pleased to reveal the names of the green-fingered locals that stood out in this historic garden contest.
READ MOREDynamic Earth launches its Toddler Tidal and Deep-Sea Discovery Zones in a bid provide accessible enrichment for little ones across the Capital.
READ MOREHis Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh welcomed Gold DofE Award holders to The Palace of Holyroodhouse this morning at a very special event to mark their achievements.
READ MOREBTS Army: Forever We Are Young, a brand-new documentary celebrating the fans that helped catapult 21st century pop icons BTS into global stardom comes to Vue.
READ MOREFamily favourites and animated adventures are heading to the big screen this summer holiday at Vue venues across Scotland.
READ MORECapital Theatres has today launched The People’s Archive, a digital exhibition that celebrates the rich history and cultural legacy of the King’s Theatre.
READ MOREA Disney-loving mum and her one-year-old daughter have been crowned Edinburgh’s biggest Stitch fans after winning a competition hosted by Fort Kinnaird.
READ MORELivingston Designer Outlet goes Jurassic crazy this July with lifelike dinosaurs, ranger training and endless photo opportunities for the whole family to enjoy.
READ MOREDeparting on Saturday 29th November 2025 at from Edinburgh Waverley, this enchanting lunchtime journey will be led by the iconic 60532 Blue Peter.
READ MOREEdinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF) has today announced its programme of screenings and events for its 2025 edition.
READ MOREParty at the Palace will host Scotland’s first solar-powered festival stage, the GreenFox Energy Breakthrough Stage, twinning clean energy and the joy of live music.
READ MOREGilded Balloon has unveiled a huge line-up of comedy stars to take part in a special ‘40 Years of Fringe’ in conversation series, to celebrate the venue’s 40th anniversary.
READ MOREScotland’s national music prize – the Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award – has opened submissions for 2025’s £20,000 prize.
READ MORE