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You can start taking care of your child's eyesight from a very early age. And the earlier a problem is found, the more effectively it can be treated.
How much does it cost for a child's eye test?
Nothing. The cost of eye tests for under-16s and those in full time education aged under 19 is met by the National Health Service. A responsible adult simply signs a form to confirm eligibility and we do the rest.
How often should I have my child's eyes tested?
At least every 2 years even if they don't wear glasses. As children are growing so are their eyes and it is important to check that they are developing normally. If your child is prescribed glasses, has a lazy eye, or some other condition you will be advised to have tests more frequently, typically every 3, 6 or 12 months.
Pre-school eye care
When should they have their first test?
Children can be screened for eye problems within a few weeks of birth however it is more common to have their eyes checked by an optometrist at the age of 3 when they start preschool and again just before starting year 1 of school. It's never too early to have your baby's eyes checked and basic initial tests are carried out post-natally as part of routine checks on your baby's progress. As a general rule you should aim to have your child's eyes tested annually from the about the age of 2. If you are suspicious there may be an eye problem or there is a family history of eye problems it is advisable to visit your optician sooner, rather than waiting until they are 3.
Common problems with children's eye sight
These eye conditions are often treatable if caught at an early age.
Amblyopia – commonly known as lazy eye, is the eye condition noted by reduced vision which is not correctable by glasses or contact lenses and is not due to any eye disease. The brain, for some reason, does not fully acknowledge the images seen by the amblyopic eye. This almost always affects only one eye but may manifest with reduction of vision in both eyes. It is estimated that three percent of children under 6 have some form of amblyopia.
Strabismus - commonly known as a squint, is a vision condition in which a person cannot align both eyes simultaneously under normal conditions. One or both of the eyes may turn in, out, up or down. An eye turn may be constant (when the eye turns all of the time) or intermittent (turning only some of the time, such as, under stressful conditions or when ill). Whether constant or intermittent, strabismus always requires appropriate evaluation and treatment.
What if my child can't read yet?
Even if your child doesn't know his or her letters yet we have special tests that can determine whether he or she is long or short sighted with only a minimum amount of cooperation. Occasionally we have to refer to specialist paediatric eye specialists if we can't take the necessary measurements and we suspect glasses might be necessary.
Why is it important to have an eye test pre-school?
If your child is long sighted and this goes unnoticed he or she will almost certainly develop a lazy eye. If detected before the age of 5 this can normally be corrected and the eyes encouraged to develop normally, if not one eye may become permanently "lazy" as the nerve pathways to the brain do not connect up properly. Having a lazy eye has a profound effect in later life as it means you only see clearly from one eye even with glasses and means you cannot do certain jobs including entering the armed and emergency service, professional driving jobs and many others.
I'm worried my child might need glasses?
Glasses aren't anything to worry about – over 60% of the UK population wears them. It is important that if glasses are required before the age of 8 or so, that they are worn as advised by your optician, in order that the eyes to develop normally. If they are not worn there is a risk of permanent vision loss in the form of a lazy eye.
How long should a sight test take?
This can vary, but normally will take about 20 to 30 minutes. Sometimes eye drops are required before the eye test. These make the child's pupils larger and relax the focussing power of the eyes so that more accurate measurements can be taken. The drops will make your child's vision blurry, however this will gradually return to normal over a couple of hours.
Will it be the same as an adult eye test?
Older children are usually tested in the same way as adults. For younger children the tests are adapted and simplified. Shape matching is sometimes used instead of letters, and there are many tests which do not need a response from the child.
I'm worried that my child might get picked on if they wear glasses?
We only prescribe glasses if they are required and will advise on when they should be worn. Glasses are seen as fashionable these days and we have a huge range of trendy NHS glasses, or if you prefer you can pay towards their favourite children's brand.
Children's eye care is available completely free to parents at Conlons Opticians.
There are hundreds of free frames to choose from which are practical as well as fashionable. There are also selections of trendy names such as Ted Baker and Ray-Ban which start from as little as £45.
Plastic lenses are recommended for children as they are light and safe.
What happens if a child breaks or loses their glasses?
Children under the age of 16 can have free replacement glasses at Conlons if they damage or lose their glasses.
My child wants contact lenses. At what age can they have them?
There's no age limit… Children can be fitted with contact lenses from a very early age depending upon how responsible they are. They are taught how to put the lenses in and take them out themselves, and must understand fully the need to look after them properly.
Contact lenses for children can be a real confidence giver at critical times in their lives such as moving up to high school or if they play a lot of sport. Conlons Opticians have contact lens experts on hand to discuss any questions you may have as a parent.
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