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27/05/2014

Increase In Sight Loss Among Children

A new report has said there has been an increase in the number of British children being registered as blind or partially sighted.

The findings, by Blind Children UK (formally known as the National Blind Children's Society), believe one of the main reasons for the increase is because there are more very premature babies surviving after they are born. However, one in 20 of these children are likely to be born blind.

It added that the number of babies born with sight difficulties due to being born prematurely, has increased by 22% over the past 10 years. The figure now stands at more than 1,800 babies a year.

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The charity looked at data from NHS England, the Welsh Assembly, the Scottish Government, the Northern Ireland Health and Social Care Trusts and the Office for National Statistics. Since 2006, it found that there had been a 9% rise in the number of children registered blind or partially sighted, with the largest increase among those aged under five.

It has previously been said that the earlier children are born, the greater the risk that they will have a visual impairment.

Richard Leaman, Chief Executive of Blind Children UK, is quoted by the BBC as saying: "Every day a child with sight loss goes without support, it dramatically affects their development.

"As much as 80% of a sighted child's learning takes place using vision. Without this, it's impossible for a young boy or girl to develop fully and make sense of the world around them.

"We help children and their families tackle all the challenges of sight loss, so that they can enjoy their childhood and fully realise their potential as adults."

(JP/IT)

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"A new report has said there has been an increase in the number of British children being registered as blind or partially sighted."