Vision problems holding back kids

Researchers from QUT’s School of Optometry and Vision Science, and its Faculty of Education conducted vision screenings on 109 Year 3 children from three Brisbane schools and found 27 – nearly 25% – had unsatisfactory results. A further six registered borderline results and also required a referral for a full examination.When these outcomes were compared with the results of recent NAPLAN tests, Australia’s national standardised tests of literacy and numeracy, it was discovered those who required a referral scored significantly lower compared with the rest of the group.The main reasons for referral were refractive error, reduced visual acuity and probls with eye co-ordination.One of the study’s lead authors, Professor Joan Wood, said the findings were important because it indicated early vision screening could identify children who may be at risk of underachieving and therefore enable early interventions.“These findings indicate that a large number of school children may have uncorrected vision probls, which is timely given a number of recent initiatives in Queensland and other states in the area of children’s vision assessment,” she said.“We have commenced a follow up project with Year 2 children, investigating whether early vision interventions (e.g. spectacles, vision training) can contribute to an enhanced learning trajectory for children identified as being unsatisfactory at vision screening.”   The full study can be read in the International Journal of Educational Research.