Children in the Highlands could be missing out on a full education due to a lack of screening for common sight problems, a north MSP has claimed.
Conservative health spokeswoman Mary Scanlon is disappointed that NHS Highland has still not introduced pre-school vision testing, despite an official report published four years ago which recommended every child aged four or five should have their vision screened by specialist eye experts or as part of a programme monitored by orthoptists.
Earlier this year the Press and Journal revealed that youngsters in many parts of the Highlands were being tested by school nurses unsupervised by experts specifically trained in detecting certain problems.
Stephen Wilson, 49, of Kirkhill, said he believed his 10-year-old daughter’s “lazy eye” could have been cured if it had been detected at the routine eye check-up when she was in primary one.
Now Mrs Scanlon has received a letter from NHS board chairman Gary Coutts saying that work is in progress to look at ways they could afford to carry out enhanced screening.
He added: “Given our current financial position, funding for orthoptic pre-school vision screening could only be found by the withdrawal of funding for another service in primary care.
“I am sure you can appreciate the challenges this presents to the board.
“Please be assured that high-quality vision screening and assessment is a priority for NHS Highland, and work is in progress to achieve this end.”
Mrs Scanlon said she was disappointed that NHS Highland was one of only two health boards which had not implemented the screening by the target date of 2006/07.
She said: “Children in Highland are potentially missing out on a full education at a crucial age due to a lack of screening for common sight problems.
“Three years on, parents across Highland are still being subjected to a postcode lottery in terms of primary healthcare for their children.
“I was made aware from several parents whose children's sight problems may have been diagnosed and treated at the start of school. Now they must learn to live knowing their children's eyesight will never be 100%"
“It is disappointing that no date has been given for pre-school vision testing within Highland.
“I am now going to write to Nicola Sturgeon to put pressure on over this situation and ensure that more children do not lose out as a result."