New research reveals that around a million children have an undetected vision problem, and many are being confused with learning difficulties in youngsters under 8 years old. 80% of a person’s lifetime exposure to UV will occur before the age of 18 and those under 12 are particularly susceptible.

70% of schools do not have eye screening and in the lead up to kids heading back to school, eye tests are bottom of the ‘to do’ list for parents; below taking their children for a haircut and buying them new stationery.

One in five parents do not take any measures to protect their children’s eye health. 93% of children aged under five are not taken to the opticians whilst 43% of primary school children and 15% of secondary school children have never had an eye test.

Sight loss costs the British economy £5.5 billion a year and official estimates predict that the number of people registered blind will double by 2030. 90% of British people are unaware of the need to protect their eyes from the sun and as children spend more time outside, their eyes receive on average three times more annual UV exposure than adults.