Visual Impairment
Vision is a major source of information that helps us to learn. Children with reduced vision should have an eye test to check whether they would benefit from wearing glasses. Not all children will need glasses but early diagnosis and correction of refractive errors are very important in young children because a blurred image on the developing retina can cause lazy eye. If this is left this can prevent a child’s vision from developing properly.
The information gathered about your child’s vision may be used to issues a certificate of vision impairment. This is signed by a consultant ophthalmologist to certify your child as sight impaired/ partially sighted or as severely sight impaired/blind.
There are many reasons why children have visual impairments. Sometimes it's genetic, or the result of an infection or injury. In many cases, no specific cause can be identified.
Children with a Visual Impairment develop in much the same way as other children, although the rate and order in which skills develop may differ. The difference experienced by children with Visual Impairment are not always obvious.
If you are concerned about your child’s sight please speak to your class teacher and then share all concerns with your GP. Children usually have an eye appointment when they are in Reception, parents will be contacted about this.
Worcestershire have a Visual Impairment Team who provide advice and support regarding the educational needs of visually impaired children. This support is offered from the point of diagnosis throughout primary school and beyond. The service is commissioned by the Local Authority, and enables the Visual Impairment Team to provide assessment, monitoring and reviewing of children based on eligibility criteria.