Good vision is fundamental to your child’s development and well-being – from maximising their focus in class to boosting their confidence in sports, clear sight can help them navigate daily life with ease.
Did you know that some vision problems can develop initially without symptoms? Regular children’s eye exams are the best way to identify and manage issues in children early before they progress.
Common vision problems in children
Children can experience various eye conditions including:
Short-sightedness (myopia)
Distant objects appear blurry while close-up vision remains clear. Your little one might squint at the whiteboard or TV, rub their eyes excessively, complain of headaches, or need to hold books or devices close to their face to see them clearly.
Long-sightedness (hyperopia)
Unlike myopia, this affects close-up vision while distance vision stays clear. Your child might avoid reading or carrying out close-up tasks or experience double vision or squint when viewing near objects.
Astigmatism
Astigmatism in children causes overall blurred vision due to irregularities in the eye’s shape—usually when it is shaped more like a rugby ball than a sphere. Children may experience headaches, difficulty seeing at night and squinting to see clearly at any distance and inability to concentrate for long periods of time.
Lazy eye (amblyopia)
A lazy eye develops when one eye doesn’t work together effectively with the brain. It often goes unnoticed and is only diagnosed during a kid’s eye test. Some symptoms include shutting one eye, tilting their head or squinting to look at anything, excessive blinking, difficulty tracking an object or person with their eyes, falling frequently and headaches. Without early intervention before the age of 7, this condition can lead to permanent vision impairment in the affected eye.
Any type of children’s eye issue can affect schoolwork and learning, sporting abilities, confidence, overall development and social interactions.
The value of children’s eye exams
It’s common for children to accept how they view the world as normal, meaning they may be experiencing symptoms without realising it. That’s why eye exams are so important—not just to protect their sight but their overall well-being.
During their eye test, we’ll assess both their vision to see if their prescription has changed and also carry out a comprehensive eye health check. Early detection means earlier treatment, which will protect their eyes from any potential problems of a more permanent nature.
How often should children have eye tests?
We recommend bringing your child for an examination:
- once before starting school
- at least every two years thereafter
- if they experience any vision problems
In any case, our optometrists will advise the frequency at which they need to be seen once they have come in for their initial eye examination based on their findings.
While some schools conduct basic vision screenings, these don’t replace comprehensive eye examinations. School screenings might identify obvious vision problems, but they don’t carry out eye health assessments. This is something only trained opticians can detect.
Child-friendly eye exams
It’s normal for kids to be a bit anxious about an eye test, just like they might be when going to the dentist, especially if it’s their first time. If that sounds like your little one, don’t worry. Our friendly opticians have years of experience with children’s eye exams and will make the experience fun and comfortable for youngsters of all ages.
For pre-readers, we can use picture-based charts instead of letters. During kids’ eye tests, we explain each step in child-appropriate language, making sure your little one feels safe and engaged. Many children find the experience quite fascinating – once their initial nerves settle!
Take Action Today
Don’t wait for your child to mention vision problems – schedule an eye test today at our opticians in Ealing to ensure they are prepped for a bright future and experience the world as clearly as possible.
