Children's Eye Tests

At Eyesite, we provide free NHS eye tests to children and students under 19 years of age. We recommend that you upgrade your child’s eye test to our Advanced Eye Examination, which includes the Optomap Retinal Scan. This provides a detailed, wide angled image of the whole retina, allowing us to thoroughly examine your child’s eye health and vision performance. We can then keep this image on file for future comparisons.

Your Child’s Eye Test

When your child visits one of our practices for an eye test, you will be booked in with one of our qualified optometrists who will sit down with you to discuss personal and family history. They will also ask questions about your child’s daily activity, and whether they have any difficulty doing everyday tasks.

After this, the eye exam will take place, which will be tailored to your child’s age, personal requirements and capabilities.

Standard eye health checks will also be carried out, and particular attention may be given to assessing co-ordination, and testing for any signs of lazy eye and squints. Your optometrist will then compare your child’s eye test results with the expected levels of development and growth in children of his or her age.

Once the eye exam has finished, your optometrist will use the results to put together a tailored eye care plan. This will ensure your child’s sight and vision health is properly cared for.

At Eyesite we pride ourselves on our excellent customer service, and are passionate about giving patients of all ages the best experience possible. Whatever your child’s requirements, we can cater for these. Find out more about our eye exams for kids on our Eye Examination Services or Children’s Eyesight pages.

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Children’s Eye Tests FAQs

Q: Can children of any age have an eye test?

A: Yes. At Eyesite we recommend children have their eyes tested before they start school. Vision problems in children can impact learning and development, so getting your child’s eyes checked regularly will ensure any problems can be detected, and treated, early.

Q: How often should my child have an eye test?

A: It is recommended that children generally have their eyes tested every year, unless advised to have them more regularly by an optometrist. Eye problems in children can occur at any time, and even if there’s no obvious symptoms, an underlying eye condition could still be present. Research shows 1 in 5 children in the UK have an undetected eye problem.

Q: How can I tell if my child has sight problems?

Regular eye tests are essential for spotting signs of potential sight problems, but if you notice your child doing any of the following, we recommend booking a test straight away:

• Straining their eyes or tilting their head to see better
• Needing to use a finger whilst reading to guide their eyes
• Sensitivity to light
• Excessive tearing
• Falling behind at school
• Closing one eye to watch TV or read
• Avoiding certain activities such as using the computer because it ‘hurts their eyes’
• Constant eye rubbing
• Complaining of tired eyes or headaches

Q: My child is scared about getting their eyes tested. What can I do?

A: Eye exams do not hurt and they are relatively quick and easy to perform. At Eyesite we take extra care to provide a calm experience for children, and ensure our eye testing process is tailored to their specific requirements. You can discuss your child’s needs with us prior to attending the appointment.

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