Four-year-old children from the child care centre participated in the program which aims to detect any vision problems early in a child’s life.

Michelle Gibbons (Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander Health Practitioner) said as children’s eyes continue to develop until approximately eight years of age it is important to ensure every child’s vision develops normally throughout these formative years.

Michelle covers a large area of western NSW incorporating some 20 towns.

“I see children mucking up in class and getting treated for all sorts of disorders, when the problem may actually be a vision or hearing difficulty,” Michelle said.

“The test is a simple and fun one which follows a protocol to achieve pass, borderline, general referral or high priority outcomes.

“With general and high priority results, I send a referral home and request a visit to an optometrist as soon as possible”.

Michelle said communication between the parent, preschool staff and herself is the most important part of the program.

“We have a strict follow-up program. Once the child is referred I can give the parents all the support they need,” Michelle said.

“If they haven’t seen an optometrist within three weeks to a month I will follow up again, my main priority is the child."

Donna Eye (Victoria Street Children’s Centre Manager) said the program was a fantastic initiative and a great way to bring awareness to vision problems in young children.

“All of our families are happy to be involved in the program and the children were looking forward to it, as most of them have never had their eyes tested before,” Donna said.