Boots Opticians is helping to reach the estimated one million children in the UK who have an undiagnosed sight problem with its free schools vision screening programme. Research shows that in the five months since the programme’s launch, a fifth of children have had a potential vision problem detected and have been referred for a full eye check.

The programme was developed to raise awareness of eye health in children, following research showing that more than 50 per cent of children have never had their eyes checked. Ben Fletcher, managing director, Boots Opticians, said: “As much as 80 per cent of what a child learns is through their vision, so we want to help all children reach their full potential by making sure their eyesight is the best it can be.”

To support the programme, Boots Opticians has launched an innovative new eye check storybook called Zookeeper Zoe, in partnership with the National Literacy Trust.