Four years old is a crucial age for kids to get their eyes tested and avoid vision problems. That’s the message coming from the health authorities today, October 8 – on World Sight Day.

Statewide Eyesight Preschooler Screening (StEPS) team is encouraging all parents to get their kids tested and identify any eyesight issues early.

Northern NSW StEPS Coordinator Jennifer McKay said early screening leads to optimal vision. 

“It is critical that this screening is provided to four year olds before they start school to maximise clinical benefit and outcomes for children,” Jennifer said. 

“If a child has blurry vision, they will think this is normal as they don’t have a baseline to compare it to, this is why it is so vital your children get screened.” 

Free screening is available to all four year old children. 

StEPS visits preschools and long day-care centres in Northern NSW. Children who do not attend centres (aren’t in care or are in home care) can also get access to the free service. 

In Northern NSW, the StEPS Program has made additional catch-up clinics available at local Community Health Centres for children who may have missed out on vision screening in 2020 while the program was deferred for a few months due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The StEPS Catch-up Clinic will be coing to Goonellabah Child and Family Health Centre on Thursday November 5.

You can call StEPS on (02) 6620 2836 or for more information, visit the website http://www.nnswlhd.health.nsw.gov.au/kids-families-health services/statewide-eyesight-preschooler-screening-steps/