CHILDREN'S
EYE EXAMINATION
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Eye Appointments
For information on the different ways we look after your eyes: click here.
WHAT HAPPENS AT A CHILD'S EYE EXAMINATION?
The NHS currently provide an eye examination for children. Tests done may vary depending on your child's needs. The core makeup of the NHS eye examination is:
- Refraction and issue of a spectacle prescription
- Ocular Health Assessment
- Binocular Vision Assessment
- Pupil Assessment
Additional Tests may be conducted including:
- Stereopsis
- Colour Vision
- Ocular Motility
- Intraocular Pressures
It is important to note that some children (particularly younger ones) may not be able to cooperate with all tests, and so a child's eye examination can look very different from an adult's one.
In some occasions, we may need to instill drops (cycloplegia) into your child's eyes to give us an accurate measure of prescription. This is unlikely in children over the age of 7, but can be done to patients of any age. These drops are quite safe, but can leave children with very large, dilated pupils for several hours, as well as blur their vision temporarily.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
My child can't read letters yet, can we still do an eye test?
Yes absolutely! Our chart is digital, and so we can use pictures or numbers to determine vision.
My child has special educational needs and I'm not sure if they will cooperate.
This is no issue for us, but it is understandable why so many people ask about this. We are very flexible at Special Looks Opticians and we are able to accommodate all patients. We can even break the eye test up into smaller sections on different days if necessary!
I'm worried that my child may have an eye condition, should I talk to my GP?
It's understandable that when we think about 'something wrong' our first thought process is to contact our doctors, however when it comes to eyes, generally optometrists are the experts. Any child who is suspected of having an eye problem should book an eye exam as early as possible, as early detection allows for early treatment. We can assess the situation for you, and if appropriate, refer on to a specialist.
How old do you recommend a child should be for a routine eye examination?
If there are no concerns about the child's vision or the health of the child's eyes, then 3 years old is an excellent time to start eye examinations. If there is any concern before this point, we would recommend an examination as early as possible.
