A MOTHER has backed a campaign encouraging young children to have annual eye tests after a problem was diagnosed with her daughter's sight during a routine test.

Daisy Wolstencroft, nine, was told she had signs of Amblyopia, a degenerative condition also known as lazy eye, during a test.

Daisy, who was four at the time, was referred to hospital and further tests confirmed the condition in her right eye.

The Thorpe Primary School pupil had appointments every three months with specialists at Bradford Royal Infirmary for the next year.

Her treatment also included wearing a patch over her stronger, left eye, to strengthen her weaker eye. She has managed to keep 90 per cent of her vision.

Amblyopia develops during early childhood and, if untreated, can cause severe visual disability and even blindness.

Now Daisy's mother, Lindsay Wolstencroft, who works as a clinical assistant at Specsavers’ branch in Idle, has backed the first National Children’s Eye Health Month, which ends on November 23.

“Daisy hadn’t been complaining of symptoms, so it was a shock to hear that she had problems with her sight.

“I felt terrible when I first found out that something was wrong. I thought she was fine," said Mrs Wolstencroft, 39, of Harehill Road, Thackley.

"I was worried about how the condition would affect her vision and if it would be something that she would have to live with for the rest of her life.

“It was difficult at first when she first started wearing her patch. But we made a game out of it, drawing pictures on her patch. Now she loves wearing glasses.

“I’m very grateful to everybody that helped with her treatment."

Mrs Wolstencroft said people did not always understand the importance of their children having eye tests and was backing the awareness month to highlight the issue.

The inaugural national campaign says children under seven should have their eyes tested at least once a year because any problems could potentially be cured before they get too serious.

Jagdeep Kainth, ophthalmic director at Specsavers Idle, said: “Daisy is the perfect example of why it’s crucial for children under the age of seven to have their eyes tested at least once a year. Without an assessment, her eyesight would have deteriorated further, and it would never have recovered.”