New initiative brings eye tests to schools

Victorian Prier Daniel Andrews and Victorian Minister for Education Mr James Merlino launched the Glasses for Kids initiative late last year at the University of Melbourne’s optometry school.The University will deliver the three–year program in collaboration with the not-forprofit group State Schools Relief, and the Department of Education and Training Victoria. Final-year optometry students at more than 100 schools will conduct the eye examinations.Associate Professor Daryl Guest, clinical director at University of Melbourne Eyecare, said the optometry students were excited to be part of a major public health initiative that would help children and their teachers.{{quote-A:R-W:450-Q: The initiative has been trialled in 24 schools across Gippsland and Melbourne and it’s hoped a further 226 Victorian schools will participate in the Glasses for Kids program which will focus on prep to Year 3 students. }}“For many of these kids, simply prescribing glasses has completely transformed their experience of school, improving their concentration and behaviour,” Guest said.“We need early screening because kids of this age won’t tell you, ‘I can’t see the blackboard’ — they’ll just disengage from learning and fall behind,” he added.At the official launch two Carlton Primary School students underwent eye tests and received a free pair of glasses.The initiative has been trialled in 24 schools across Gippsland and Melbourne and it’s hoped a further 226 Victorian schools will participate in the Glasses for Kids program which will focus on prep to Year 3 students.A trial at one school tested 330 children and 125 were found to need glasses.Commenting on the trial Merlino said, NEWS  “The results from were astounding – at one school we tested 330 kids and 125 of th needed glasses – once received, their teachers reported an immediate improvent in behaviour and acadic performance.”The initiative will focus on schools that fall within Victoria’s most disadvantaged communities.“We are putting people first with free eye testing and glasses for kids at our schools most in need – so every child has the opportunity to thrive in the classroom,” Andrews said.The Labor Government has also collaborated with Melbourne University so that optometry students in their final year can carry out testing at 160 of the schools that Glasses with Kids plans to visit.To view the full list of schools at which the Glasses for Kids program will be held visit: education.vic.gov.auThe new Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, Professor Shitij Kapur, said common probls in this age group included long-sightedness, turned eyes and colour vision probls.“The importance of both good education and good health to a child’s future cannot be underestimated. Unidentified vision probls often lie at the root of poor educational outcomes for children and our students will be intervening to prevent this. We are delighted to be working with State Schools’ Relief and the Department of Education and Training to deliver this program,” Kapur said.At one school in a trial conducted earlier this year, 330 children were tested and 125 were found to need glasses.