Children miss out on eye tests Figure doubles in a year despite tests being free for under 16s One in four parents admit their child has never had an eye test, according to a report. The figure has almost doubled in a year from 14 per cent in 2011, despite two-yearly sight tests being free to children under 16 or older teenagers in full-time education. A further one in ten of the 4,300 parents surveyed cannot remember the last time their child had a sight test or believe it was more than ten years ago, says the report by the College of Optometrists. Out of sight: One in four parents have never taken their child to have an eye exam Although 70 per cent of parents see sight tests as "very important" for their children's health, millions are failing to make it happen, it says. It found the children of one-quarter of parents questioned had never had a sight test - compared with 14 per cent in the previous 2011 report. Francesca Marchetti, a member of the College, said "If you are worried your child might have a problem with their eyes then they are never too young to have them examined. 'It's essential that any problems are picked up at an early stage when they are more likely to be treated effectively.' Loss of vision: Half of parents either don't remember the last time they took their child to an eye test or have never taken their children to have one (file photo) 'Children won't necessarily say "I can't see that" or know what is normal when it comes to their vision." All children are supposed to be screened at school for vision problems between the ages of four and five, such as lazy eye and squints, which may be hard to treat if not diagnosed at that early age. But screening is patchy with one in five primary care trusts failing to do it, says the report. Provision is particularly bad outside state schools and for children with learning difficulties - who are ten times more likely to have problems with their sight.