FAQ
How old does my child have to be before they can have an eye examination?
Although they are checked at school, it is not a full eye examination. Their distance vision is normally checked but this will not detect any problems that they may have when doing close work. Short sightedness and large squints may be detected, but the school checks are not usually carried out by an eye care professional. For a full eye examination, you should take your child to a registered optometrist. If left undetected for too long, some sight defects cannot be corrected. Children’s eye examinations are free under the NHS until they are 16, and under 19 if in full-time education.
FAQ
How old does my child have to be before they can have an eye examination?
Children can be examined at any age, even babies. It is important that they have been examined before they start learning to read. They do not need to know their alphabet before they are seen. Often, visual problems can be the reason why a child does not perform well at school, for example, because they cannot focus well close up. The earlier a problem is detected the more chance there is of successful treatment. Children's eyes are normally fully developed by the time they are 6 to 8 years old so it is very important to have any problems detected before this, as some conditions are not able to be solved at this point.
During a child’s first year there are rapid changes in vision. Do not worry if your baby cannot seem to focus or their eyes seem to wander during the first 4 months. Signs that need checking by your doctor or optometrist are - persistent eye infections (although in babies the tear ducts are not fully open for the first few months) or if after 4 months one eye seems to wander independently.