Nearly one in 10 parents or carers (9%) only take their child for their first visit to the optometrist if an eye health or vision issue arises, new UK research found.
The report, commissioned by the Association of British Dispensing Opticians (ABDO), the College of Optometrists and the Optical Suppliers Association (OSA), also found that UK parents are confused about when and where to go for children’s eyecare advice and treatment.
Over half (53%) of surveyed parents would go to straight to their GP for an eye infection issue and over a third (34%) would do the same for an eye discomfort issue instead of seeking advice from their local optometrist. One in 12 parents (8%) would visit their GP or call the NHS hotline if their child was experiencing a slight change in vision rather than visit an optometrist.
