Australian study finds 30% of child students have uncorrected eye problems

Research has important implications for teachers and eye health professionals

Colin Kerr

Published: Tuesday, June 27, 2017

Vision screening of 109 Year 3 pupils in Australia has found 33 children had borderline or unsatisfactory vision, according to Queensland University of Technology (QUT) research, published in the International Journal of Educational Research.

"Approximately 30% of the sample were identified as borderline or unsatisfactory by a vision screening and were referred for a full eye examination," said the authors. "Children who were referred at the vision screening scored significantly lower on national standardised tests of reading, grammar and punctuation, spelling and numeracy, when compared to their not referred peers. This research has important implications for teachers and eye health professionals, as the findings highlight the importance of early vision screening in identifying children who may be achieving below their potential."