Parents of prep students are being encouraged to take advantage of free vision screening checks by the Primary School Nurse Health Readiness Program (PSNHRP) in 2021.
Mackay HHS delivers the screening service to prep students attending state, catholic and independent schools across the Mackay, Whitsunday and Isaac regions.
Registered nurse Christina Morice said the state-wide Primary School Nurse Health Readiness Program was established in 2015 and aims to optimise the health and wellbeing of children during their transition to primary school, with a focus on prep vision screening.
“A child’s eyes are constantly in use in the classroom and at play. The vision screening program checks for visual abnormalities and common eye conditions that may affect a child’s ability to see,” Ms Morice said.
“Vision loss can potentially result in poor learning outcomes, behavioural issues and difficulty with concentration.
“The vision screening program provides the opportunity for visual abnormalities to be detected early to minimise the long-term impacts on a child’s learning and development.”
Ms Morice said the screening program utilises two non-invasive screening tools to test for common conditions which may impact a child’s vision.
“Nurses use the PARR 4m Letter Matching Visual Acuity Test and Welch Allyn Spot Vision Screener, which is an automated screening device,” she said.
“When used in conjunction, these tools have an 80-90 per cent accuracy rate in detecting visual abnormalities.
“One common condition we screen for is amblyopia, or a ‘lazy eye’ which is most successfully treated before eight years of age.”
PSNHRP registered nurses attend schools to complete screening and work flexibly around class routines, specialist lessons and break times.
“This year parents or legal guardians of prep students will receive their screening pack via email and/or text from their child’s school containing information and a digital consent form. However, consent packs in paper form will still be available from schools,” she said.
“On the day of screening we have a chat with prep students about the screening process to help ease any nervousness.
“Screening is easy and takes less than five minutes with minimal disruption to your child’s learning.”
Screening results are advised in writing and if visual abnormalities are found during a child’s screening tests, they will be referred to an eye health professional for further assessment.
“If a vision concern is identified and your child requires glasses, eligible health care card holders may be assisted with free basic glasses through the Spectacle Supply Scheme.”
Each year the program provides vision screening to around 50,000 Queensland prep students with approximately 4,000 referred to an eye health professional.
Screening dates are currently being booked for 2021. Schools will notify prep families and guardians of when their children can be screened.
More information about the Children’s Health Queensland Primary School Nurse Health Readiness Program can be viewed on the Children’s Health Queensland website.
