Australian-founded optical chain Oscar Wylee will provide free standard eye tests for children under 18 in its New Zealand stores.
Under the new service – aimed towards Kiwi school-aged kids five to 17 years – the company will cover standard vision testing costs for children, without the need for a government concession card.
Children also won’t be required to meet any clinical requirements in Oscar Wylee stores, nor are there any obligations for customers to purchase any products.
Originally a small e-commerce eyewear company, the Oscar Wylee brand has expanded rapidly since brothers Mr Jack Teoh and Mr Bob Teoh purchased the company with their investment firm and opened its first brick-and-mortar store in 2015.
Oscar Wylee’s website lists more than 120 locations in Australia and 11 in New Zealand, including Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. It also recently expanded into Canada.
New Zealanders don’t have the same access to universally subsidised eyecare like Australians do through Medicare, however there is support for low income patients. The New Zealand Government also provides free Well Child/Tamariki Ora vision checks to children from 4–6 weeks to 5 years old through maternal child health providers, and distance vision tests when they are 11 or 12 years old.
Oscar Wylee’s new, free service for Kiwi kids has been developed to encourage children and parents in the community to take care of their eye health, the company stated.
“We believe that all children, especially school aged children, should have access to free eye tests,” Oscar Wylee CEO Mr Craig Levy said.
“Vision is an important part of a child’s learning journey. If a child has trouble seeing, this can impact their ability to succeed, especially at school. That’s why we are excited to bring this service to New Zealand kids.”
To complement the new service, Oscar Wylee is also expanding its range of children’s glasses, with the release of its Kids Collection in mid-December.
The collection will build upon the company’s existing kids and petite ranges, by introducing new designs. The frames are all created to be “as kid proof as possible”, with hard-to-break hinges and impact resistant lenses.
The Kids Collection will also come with new accessories, including ear grips that stop the glasses from falling off the face.
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