YEAR 6 pupils at Hanover Primary School in Islington recently took part in an interactive session with the Specsavers Islington team to learn more about how the eye works, colour deficiency and why some pupils need to wear glasses.
Aligning with the school curriculum and STEM, the pupils aged between 10 and 11, gained a clearer understanding about what a visit to the optician might look like.
Katerina Strimmenou, one of Specsavers Islington’s senior optometrists, explained the structure of the eye, how it works and how to care for eyes.
The team explained why regular eye tests are important, including what the optometrist can see at the back of the eye during the examination.
As children spend more time in front of screens both at home and at school, Ms Strimmenou introduced the 20:20:20 rule, explaining why it’s good to take a 20-second break every 20 minutes and look at something 20 feet away to help rest the eyes.
Ms Strimmenou adds: ‘We have noticed more children becoming short-sighted, especially with the rise of screen use among children, so it’s important to encourage children to reduce screen time and take regular breaks.
‘We really value this opportunity to educate and inform the students around caring for their eyes and raising awareness around what good eye care looks like.’
‘The children were very engaged, and we were surprised by how interested they were about the health and anatomy of the eye.’
Accompanying Ms Strimmenou was Samuel Lee, assistant store manager, PR and marketing lead, who presented some fun facts about the eye, while pre-registration optometrist, Mahira Islam explained why some people are short-sighted and some are long-sighted.
The children also learned more about contact lenses and how those pupils with a stronger prescription might benefit from wearing them during sport, particularly contact sports.
Commenting on the presentation, Year 6 Form teacher, Zoe Giannoulis, said: ‘We were lucky enough that the Specsavers Islington team came to work with us as part of our Year 6 science studies, learning about how we see light and objects.
‘Sam, Katerina and Mahira were engaging and informative and the workshop was pitched just at the right level. The children felt free to ask questions and test out their own ideas, which was fantastic. Many thanks, and we’d be happy to have you back again next year!’
Following the talk, the children received goody bags containing Specsavers Optomonster badges, activity books, pencils, and some tips on keeping your glasses clean. There were also leaflets on eye health along with some fun optical illusions.
For anyone who wants to check if their eyesight or hearing is in tip-top condition for 2026, you can contact Specsavers Islington on 020 7520 1770 or you can also book online: https://www.specsavers.co.uk/stores/islington
