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Orthoptic Vision Screening

Warrington Orthoptic department are now delivering a vision screening service for all reception aged children in Warrington.

Warrington Orthoptic department deliver a vision screening service for all reception aged children in Warrington. This service has been running for 6 years and it was previously delivered by school health advisors.

It has been recommended by Hall (2003) and the National screening committee that vision screening should be an;

‘Orthoptic led service for all children aged 4-5 years of age, using a logMAR vision test.’

Our vision screening service is led by a specialised Orthoptist, and we have three specifically trained Orthoptic Assistants who perform the vision screening assessments at schools.

It is important that every child has a vision assessment as vision only develops until the age of 7-8 years; this is known as the critical period. After this period it may not be possible to improve a child’s vision and they may be left with permanently reduced vision in one or both eyes. This may have life implications such as ability to drive or affect career choice.

An ‘opt out’ consent letter from the child’s school is sent home. You only have to complete this form if you do not wish your child to be tested or if your child is already under an eye specialist. We will collect these forms from each school, if you do not return the form to school within 2 weeks it will be assumed that you wish your child to be tested. Any child who ‘opts out’ from this service will not be tested and will be removed from the vision screening programme.

During the assessment we will test the child’s vision in each eye, and look out for any obvious eye problems e.g. squints, drooping lids etc. The tests are designed to be fun and do not rely on children knowing letters. On the day of test the Orthoptic assistant will leave a letter informing parents/carer’s whether or not the child has passed the tests. All test results will be recorded on child health records.

If they do not meet the pass criteria they will be referred to an appropriate specialist (Orthoptist, Optometrist or Ophthalmologist). An appointment letter will be sent through the post.

We screen all 67 reception schools in Warrington Borough.

WA1

Bruche Community Primary School

Oakwood Avenue

St Elphin’s (Fairfield)

St Oswald’s Catholic Primary School

St Peter’s Catholic Primary School

WoolstonCommunity Primary School

Woolston CE Primary School

 

WA2

Beamont Community Primary School

Brook Acre Community Primary School

Christ Church CE Primary School

Cinnamon Brow CE Primary School

Meadowside community Primary School

St Andrewscommunity Primary School

St Benedicts Catholic Primary School

St Bridgets catholic Primary School

St Margaret’s CE Voluntary School

St Stephens Catholic Primary School

Warrington St Anne CE Primary School

Winwick CE Primary School

 

WA3

Birchwood CE Pimary School

Croft Primary School

Culcheth Primary School

Glazebury Primary School

GorseCovert Primary School

Hollins Green StHelens CE

Locking Stumps Primary School

Newchurch Community Primary School

St Lewis Catholic Primary School

Twiss Green Community Primary School

 

WA4

Alderman Bolton

AppletonThorn

Bradshaw Community Primary school

Grappenhall Heys

Grappenhall St Wilfred’s CE

Latchford St James

Our Lady’s Catholic Primary School

St Augustines Catholic Primary School

St Monicas catholic Primary School

St Thomas’s CE primary School

Stretton St Matthews CE Primary School

Stockton Heath Primary School

Thelwall Community Infant School

The Cobb's Infant School

 

WA5

Barrowhall Community Primary School

Bewsey Lodge Primary School

Burtonwood Community Primary School

Callands Primary School

Chapelford Village Primary School

Dallam Community Primary School

Evelyn Street Primary School

Great Sankey Primary School

Park Road Community Primary School

Penketh Community Primary School

Penketh South Community Primary School

Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School

Sankey Valley St James CE Primary School

St Albans Catholic Primary School

St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School

St Paul of the Cross

St Phillips CE Aided Primary School

St Vincent’s Catholic Primary School

Warrington St Barnabas CE Primary School

Westbrook Old Hall Primary School

 

WA13

Cherry Tree Primary School

Oughtrington Community Primary School

Ravenbank Community Primary School

Statham Community Primary School

Any child who is home schooled will be offered an appointment at a nearby clinic.

Any child who attends a special school will be seen by our specialist team of Orthoptist's (see SEN service).

We do not have specific waiting times, the Orthoptist will liaise with the school to arrange a date that is convenient for us to assess the children. If a child is uncooperative or absent on the day of testing then we will see them on a catch up session later on throughout the academic year. If a child is referred into the eye clinic for further assessments there will be a waiting time for this appointment. This may vary throughout the year depending on how many referrals we receive.

Jennifer Shave Joint Lead Orthoptist

Lindsay Grant Joint Lead Orthoptist

Chloe-Lise Smith Orthoptic Assistant

Sheila Dodd Orthoptic Assistant

Kathryn Hankey Orthoptic Assistant

Opt out consent form

Vision screening information leaflet for Parents/Guardian

Contact Details

If you require any more information please contact the Orthoptic department on 01925 662772.

Warrington Hospital

The Nightingale Building (formerly known as Halton Hospital)