The StEPS program is an initiative of NSW Health and offers all four-year-old children free vision screening during January, before they start school.

Why do children need their vision screened?

•       Children rarely complain of eye problems

•       Children may not realise they can’t see well

•       Some children can see well with one eye but have poor vision in the other eye

•       Children’s eyes may look OK and parents/carers might think that their child can see well but some children might still have a vision problem

•       The only way to tell if a child has a vision problem is to have the child’s vision tested one eye at a time.

Early detection and treatment of any eye issues at age four can correct some eye disorders, preventing the life-long need for glasses and is of huge benefit for a child’s education.

Centrelink has made the four-year-old vision screen with StEPS, or an optometrist, mandatory for families to receive payment of Family Tax Benefit A. 

Through the StEPS program, Registered Nurses visit preschools and childcare centres to conduct eyesight screening on four and five year olds.

Any children attending a preschool or childcare centre in 2017 will have an opportunity to have their eyes checked when StEPS visits their centre. 

For those children starting school in 2017 who may have missed out on the eye screening offered through their preschool, long day-care or community health, it is recommended an appointment be made to attend an eye screening in January at one of the following clinics:

•       Port Macquarie Community Health Centre - Monday January 30;

For an appointment, contact StEPS Coordinator Wendy Mutton on 6656 7061 or email MNCStEPS@ncahs.health.nsw.gov.au