Question 1

Why Does My Child Have To Have An Eye Test At School And At An Opticians?

Accepted Answer

Only 60% of schools now provide eye tests.
Poor sight can be misattributed to special needs.
1 in 5 children have an undetected eye problem, which can be easily found by an Optometrist during an eye test.

However, when they are checked at school, it is not a full eye test. Their distance vision is normally checked but this will not detect all levels of long-sight. Short sight and large squints may be detected, but the school checks are not usually carried out by an eyecare professional.

For a full eye test you should take your child to a registered Optometrist. If left undetected for too long, some sight defects cannot be corrected.

Question 2

When Should My Child Have An Eye Test?

Accepted Answer

Your child's first eye check is usually at the end of their first year. They should then be retested before they start school by an Optometrist, who will pick up any problems that may lead to poor development at school.

At primary school, your child's eyesight should be assessed by the local health board. However, only 60% of schools now provide eye tests, so it is important you register your child with an Optometrist.

Question 3

What Are Signs Of Poor Eye Sight In Children?

Accepted Answer

Squinting. Squinting may be a sign that your child has a refractive error , which affects how well the eyes focus on an image. By squinting, your child may be able to temporarily improve the focus and clarity of an object.
Tilting head or covering one eye. Your child might cover one eye or tilt his or her head to adjust the angle of vision in an attempt to increase clarity. This might be an indication that the eyes are misaligned or that your child has amblyopia, also known as lazy eye, which is one of the most common eye disorders in children.
Sitting too close to the television or holding hand-held devices too close to the eyes. Sitting too close to the television, holding hand-held devices too close to the eyes or lowering the head while reading are all possible signs of poor vision. People who have myopia, or nearsightedness, have clear vision at close range and poorer vision at a distance. Bringing an object closer makes an image bigger and clearer.
Rubbing eyes excessively. Excessive eye rubbing may indicate that your child is experiencing eye fatigue or strain. This could be a sign of many types of vision problems and conditions, including allergic conjunctivitis .
Complaining of headaches or eye pain. If your child complains about eye pain or headaches at the end of the day, he or she may be overexerting the eyes in an effort to increase focus of blurred vision.
Having difficulty concentrating on school work. Because children need to quickly and accurately adapt their visual focus from distant to near and on a number of different objects ranging from chalkboards and computers to textbooks and tablets, vision problems may manifest as a lack of focus on schoolwork.

Question 4

What Happens At A Child's Eye Test?

Accepted Answer

We know that eye tests can be a little overwhelming for some children — especially if it’s their first time. That’s why we’ve made the process as enjoyable and child friendly as possible.

Children’s eye tests are a little different from those for adults. We use specially designed charts that allow children to recognise shapes or pictures, or even to match letters, rather than the traditional charts that you may be familiar with. This means that we can test children’s eyes even if they are unable to read or recognise letters.

Our opticians are specially trained to test children’s eyes. They know that the test room can feel a little intimidating to a young child so will use techniques to make it feel as welcoming as possible. You will, of course, be able to stay with your child throughout the test so you can see everything that happens.

Even though some of the equipment used in your child’s eye test is different, it doesn’t mean that your child’s eye test is any less accurate than an adult’s. In fact, great care is taken to ensure that it isn’t.

As well as checking the eyes, our opticians also evaluate the muscles and associated structures to ensure they are healthy too.

Question 5

Is My Child Eligible For A Free NHS Test?

Accepted Answer

All children under 16, or under 19 and in full-time education are entitled to a free NHS eye test.