Keep An Eye On Their VisionWhy regular eye examinations for kids are important

When my son was eight his teacher called me to one side. “I’m concerned about his lack of progress lately,” she said, “And when I asked him why he hadn’t copied the spellings down from the whiteboard this afternoon he said he couldn’t see them.” This was how we discovered that Callum needed glasses. It had never been on my radar because no-one else in our family wears them, apart from his grandparents but most grandparents wear glasses because they are older, and older people wear glasses right? It came as a bit of a shock that poor Callum had been struggling for so long. I’d always taken him for regular dental checks, but he’d never had a sight test! #parentfail

A comprehensive eye examination ensures that a child has optimal vision, which plays a vital role in their education, participation in sports, and overall confidence. Additionally, eye examinations help identify conditions such as strabismus (where one of the eyes turns in or out), enabling early intervention and appropriate treatment.

Clear vision is essential for a child’s academic success. If vision problems remain unidentified then the child may experience difficulties with reading, writing, and focusing on classroom activities, as Callum did. Regular eye examinations can identify refractive errors (such as shortsightedness, long-sightedness, and astigmatism) and ensure that the child receives the necessary corrective measures, such as spectacles or contact lenses. By addressing their visual impairments, a child can then fully engage in the classroom, meaning that their performance in school should improve.

Participation in sports is a valuable aspect of any child's physical and social development. Poor vision can affect hand-eye coordination, depth perception, reaction time, and ultimately their enjoyment of sport. Regular eye examinations will detect any vision problems that may hinder a child's ability to perform well in sports. In addition, optometrists and dispensing opticians can provide appropriate solutions, such as sports safety spectacles, prescription swimming goggles, or contact lenses. Strabismus, commonly known as crossed or misaligned eyes, is a condition that requires early identification and intervention. Regular eye examinations from birth can detect strabismus in its early stages, allowing for prompt referral to a specialist. Early treatment can help correct the misalignment and improve the child's binocular vision, depth perception, and overall visual function. Identifying and managing strabismus at a young age is crucial for optimal visual development and can prevent long-term complications.

If like me you are fortunate enough to have excellent vision, this does not automatically bestow that same privilege on your child. Children with poor sight do not always know that they have poor sight because they have nothing to compare it with! I could kick myself for not realising this sooner. Callum’s performance in school accelerated dramatically once he had the correct spectacles, and he’s gone on to do very well academically. The story might have been quite different but for his observant primary school teacher.

Think of regular eye examinations as an investment in your child's future success. Examinations are free up to the age of 18 for those in full time formal education.

By Kate McCarthy

Sudoku

to play Sudoku

Fill in the grid so that each row, column and 3x3 box, contains the numbers 1 through to 9 with no repetition.

You don’t need to be a genius. These puzzles use logic alone. Watch out! Sudoku is highly addictive.

DR SAMIR B PATEL • DR JAMIE NIGHTINGALE DR BHAVINI MUIR • DR THAMARA GUNASEKERA

40 STATION ROAD •BRIGHTLINGSEA •COLCHESTER •ESSEX •CO7 0DT

Tel: (01206) 302522 •Email: colne.medicalcentref81116@nhs.net www.colnemedicalcentre.nhs.uk • facebook.com/Colnemedical

GP Care advisor

We have a GP Care Advisor, Tracey Hogg, who can assist patients with a range of information and advice free of charge on subjects including:

• Benefits, she will also assist with the completion of claim forms.

• Equipment assessment of your home to include items such as handrails etc.

• Occupational therapy assessments for home aids.

• Contact with the appropriate Statutory Care services.

• Contact with the appropriate voluntary services.

• Identify whether you are entitled to any form of grant.

Care advisors are here to help you

Amongst Tracey’s key roles are:

• To listen to patients, carers and their families.

• To provide advice, support, information and assistance in obtaining services from other agencies and where appropriate, make initial contact on the patient’s behalf.

• Provide assistance to carers in particular for those caring for a person with Dementia.

• To help with the completion of welfare benefit claim forms.

• To provide assessment of needs for Telecare equipment and services within the patients’ homes.

If you have a non-medical issue which is causing you concern please contact the surgery and leave your details. These will be passed onto Tracey who will contact you to arrange a meeting.

Patient Participation Group

The purpose of the patient participation group (PPG) is to ensure that patients and carers are involved in decisions about the range, shape and quality of services provided by the practice.

• Carrying out research into the views of those who use the practice

• Ongoing communication with the patient population

• Organising health promotion events and health literacy

• Encouraging patients to take greater responsibility for their own and their family’s health

• Advising the practice on the patient perspective and providing insight into the responsiveness and quality of services

• Being a critical friend to the practice

Meetings are held three or four times a year at the surgery when current issues are discussed and often invite a guest speaker. If you are interested in joining the group you can speak to Anne Fellowes, Administrator, collect an application form from reception or complete one online on our website.

Thank you for reading

Katie Pirie Practice Manager

New showrooms now open at Bypass Nurseries, Capel St Mary and Glasswells, Ipswich