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Children’s Vision (Paediatrics)

LOCSU’s model pathways for children’s eye care services allow for the early intervention and management of poor vision in an integrated service model delivered in optical practice. 

The integrated care model supports partnership working; primary care practitioners and the hospital paediatric team working together to provide care closer to home for children. 

Pathway Benefits

Benefits of the Child Vision Screening Pathway include: 

  • Early intervention for children who have a suspected eye defect which has been identified at school screening, with a maximum waiting time of two weeks 
  • Increased access and choice for patients 
  • Increased capacity and reduced waiting times in secondary care to treat more complex patients 
  • Development of the role of primary care optometrists 
  • Improved communications between secondary and primary care 
  • Reduction in costs compared with the acute model 
Pathway Documents
Case Studies

Impact of Paediatric Eyecare Services in South Tyneside (November 2023) 

Since 2016, South Tyneside has had an effective Children’s Post Vision Screening service, with primary care optometrists receiving referrals for diagnostic care following screening.

This case study looks at the impact of the Paediatric Eyecare Services in South Tyneside. 

Benefits of Care Closer to Home within the Children’s Vision Service (January 2023) 

Gloucestershire Children’s Vision Service was established in January 2017. The service provides care closer to home, following the LOCSU pathway, and is delivered with Primary Eyecare Services (PES). 

The full list of LOCSU case studies can be found here. 

Useful Documents

CCEHC Recommendations For Vision Screening Backlog 

Covid-19 caused major interruptions in education and child health services, which resulted in delays to Child Vision Screening services.  

This delay for some children who started Reception Year in 2019 or 2020, resulted in a backlog of children who were not screened.  

The CCEHC has made recommendations for alternative, failsafe arrangements for these children to have their vision tested: 

Skills and Training

Paediatrics WOPEC course  

The aim of the paediatrics course, provided by WOPEC and LOCSU, is to provide community and hospital based practitioners with knowledge and skills to provide a high standard of eye care to children of all ages.

It includes topics covering assessment, screening, referral and treatment pathways, with an emphasis on the importance of good communication with children and young people, their parents/carers and with other professionals. 

To register for this course, please contact your LOC to a request a code. 

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