THE parents of a nine-year-old girl from Launceston have praised opticians for changing their daughter’s life.

Penny Tape has a range of conditions that present her with challenges, but mother Lindsey says the youngster takes everything in her stride.

However, Penny’s strong prescription glasses didn’t suit her lifestyle, so Lindsey took Penny to the Specsavers Launceston store to see if she could qualify for contact lenses – and to their surprise, the store said she did.

Lindsey said: “Penny is just the most determined, happy, comical, loving young girl who lights up our whole world.

“However, her glasses were becoming so frustrating for her. She relied on people to clean her them for her all the time and, because she wears a hearing aid, it was sometimes difficult to get the glasses and hearing aid to stay on her ear at the same time.

“She also likes to play football, but the glasses just weren’t practical because her hearing aid and glasses would come off.

“Because of her age, we thought she might not be able to have contact lenses – so when the store said she could as long as she could remove them herself, we were surprised but so pleased.

“The store has been absolutely fantastic and so patient with Penny. They talked her through everything and, even with Penny’s learning difficulties, they explained it so well that she easily understood.

“They put the contact lenses in Penny’s eyes and did an eye test, and she loved it. When she got home, she was bouncing because she was so happy.

“Penny also has a sensitivity to sunlight, but she can now wear sunglasses. Before, she wasn’t keen on the clip-on style, but she is now enjoying trying on different types of sunglasses. Her writing is also so much better now, which has helped her at school, and she’s really enjoying the freedom and improved dexterity that contact lenses give her.

Hayley Butler, contact lens optician at the Specsavers Launceston said she is thrilled by the dramatic improvement that contact lenses have given Penny.

She added: “Penny is such a lovely girl and we’re always so pleased have her in the store. Her story is such a great example of the importance of talking through your eyecare needs with an optician – because the chances are we will be able to provide the answer.

“The more natural vision that contact lenses have given Penny, rather than when she was wearing glasses, has been ideal for her.

“The contact lenses move with the eye so that nothing blocks what is seen, and they don’t fog up or get wet when it’s cold or rainy, all of which has been a huge benefit for her.

“Penny has such determination and love for life, and we’re thrilled that her introduction to contact lenses has made such a big difference for her.

“Children are quick learners and are usually just as capable as adults, but we would recommend that a parent or guardian should supervise them to start with.”