Your child failed their HPB Eye Screening: What’s Next?
If your child has failed their Health Promotion Board (HPB) eye screening, don’t worry! These screenings may not be accurate, due to a few possible factors such as time constraints, your child being too tired or shy to respond. Even if there is a problem with your child’s vision, do not fret, we will do a thorough check to ensure that their vision needs are met.
Here’s what to do next:
After receiving the results from HPB, you can book an appointment with us via WhatsApp @ 98581308 or click here. During our check, our optometrists will do the necessary tests the Board requires. On top of that, we will also perform the following tests:
- Binocular Vision assessment (screen for crossed eyes, lazy eyes etc)
- Colour Vision assessment
- Anterior and Posterior Ocular Health examination.
After the check, we will fill out a form to be submitted to HPB.
What's next?
The most common vision issues in children are refractive errors, which include:
- Myopia (short-sightedness)
- Astigmatism
- Hyperopia (long-sightedness)
Which occurs when the shape of the eye prevents light rays from focusing properly on the retina.
Will my child need glasses? What are the management options available?
If your child is having trouble seeing in school, or their prescription calls for the need for correction, we will prescribe accordingly. If their prescription does not need correction, we will encourage parents to bring them back for an eye check to monitor for any changes.
As a parent, what can I do?
Look out for signs and symptoms such as:
- Squinting their eyes when looking at a distance
- Turning or tilting their head (take note of which side they turn/tilt to)
- Constantly rubbing their eyes
- Going closer to the television
- One eye turns away when focusing or not focusing
Apart from looking for signs and symptoms, we can also do our part by bringing them out to play or even for a walk. Reducing near work (homework, digital device, reading, even playing with toys!). Encourage visual breaks when doing near work.