Children’s Eye Tests: What Every Parent Should Know Before the New School Year
Children rarely tell you they can’t see properly. It isn’t that they’re hiding it - it’s that they have nothing to compare it to. If the whiteboard has always looked a little blurry, a child assumes that’s how whiteboards look. This is why vision problems in children are so often picked up by an optometrist rather than reported by the child.
With a new school year just a few weeks away, it’s a natural moment to get your child’s eyes checked. Here’s what parents most often ask us — what age to start, what it costs, what happens if your child can’t read yet, and the signs worth watching for.
At Optical Gallery, we regularly help parents and children across SW London and Surrey with eye tests at our store locations in Chessington, Cheam and Twickenham.
Signs your child may need an eye test
Because children rarely complain, it’s usually behaviour rather than words that gives it away. You might notice your child:
- Sitting very close to the television, or holding books and tablets close to their face
- Squinting, frowning or tilting their head to look at something
- Rubbing their eyes frequently, especially when they’re not tired
- Complaining of headaches or tired eyes, particularly after school
- Losing their place when reading, or using a finger to follow the line
- Avoiding reading, drawing or other close-up activities
- Struggling to concentrate in class, or falling behind without an obvious reason
None of these is proof of a vision problem on its own - plenty have other explanations. But if a few sound familiar, an eye test is a quick, easy way to find out if there are any underlying problems. And it’s worth knowing that an eye test is worthwhile even when you’ve noticed nothing at all, precisely because so many children show no obvious signs.
What age should a child have their first eye test?
Earlier than most parents expect. There’s no minimum age for an eye test - your child doesn’t need to be able to read, or even to talk.
As a general guide, it’s sensible for children to have their first eye test at around three to four years old, before they start school. If there’s a family history of eye problems, or you have any concerns at all, there’s no reason to wait - babies and toddlers can be tested using age-appropriate methods.
After that first test, children are usually seen every year or so, though your optometrist will advise on the right interval for your child. Young eyes change quickly, and a prescription that was right last year may not be right now.
How do they test a child who can’t read letters yet?
This is one of the most common worries, and it’s easily answered: optometrists don’t need your child to read a letter chart.
For younger children, tests are adapted to their age and stage. That might mean matching shapes or pictures, following a light or a toy, or using techniques that measure how the eyes focus without the child needing to say anything at all. Your optometrist can also use eye drops to relax the focusing muscles and get a more accurate reading.
For most children, a sight test feels more like a game than a medical appointment. It’s quick, comfortable, and there’s no wrong answer to give.
Are children’s eye tests free? And what about glasses?
Good news on both counts.
Eye tests
All children under 16 are entitled to a free NHS sight test. If your child is 16, 17 or 18 and in full-time education, they qualify too. You don’t need to do anything complicated - just let the practice know you’re booking an NHS sight test for your child.
Glasses
If your child needs glasses, they’ll receive an NHS optical voucher to put towards the cost. The value depends on their prescription, and many practices (including The Optical Gallery) offer a range of frames within the voucher value, which means children’s glasses are often completely free. If you choose frames that cost more than the voucher, you pay the difference.
Children under 16 are also covered for repairs and replacements if their glasses are lost or damaged - which, if you’ve ever met a seven-year-old, you’ll appreciate.
Will my child need glasses if I wear them?
Not necessarily - but it does make it more likely. Short-sightedness in particular tends to run in families, and a child with one or both parents who are short-sighted has a higher chance of becoming short-sighted themselves.
It’s also worth knowing that short-sightedness is becoming more common in children generally, and it usually develops and progresses during the school years. Because of that, if there’s a family history, it’s worth getting your child’s eyes checked regularly rather than waiting for a problem to appear.
If your child is becoming short-sighted, there are now approaches designed to slow how quickly it progresses - known as myopia management. Your optometrist can talk you through whether it’s appropriate for your child.
Visit The Optical Gallery for Myopia control in Twickenham, Cheam Village or Chessington
Helping your child get used to glasses
If your child does need glasses, the first week or two is usually the hardest part - and it passes quicker than you’d think. A few things that help:
- Let them choose the frames. A pair they picked themselves gets worn far more willingly than a pair chosen for them.
- Make sure the fit is right. Glasses that slip, pinch or sit crooked are the main reason children stop wearing them - a proper fitting matters as much as the prescription.
- Start with short, positive stretches. Reading a favourite book or watching television, where the difference is immediately obvious, helps them connect the glasses with seeing better.
- Keep it matter-of-fact. Children take their cue from you: treated as normal and unremarkable, glasses quickly become exactly that.
Don’t forget sun protection either - children’s eyes are more vulnerable to UV than adults’, and prescription sunglasses are worth asking about if your child spends a lot of time outdoors.
Read More: Protect Your Eyes from UV Damage This Summer
Booking your child’s eye test
A sight test takes very little time, it’s free for children, and it answers a question that’s otherwise almost impossible for a parent to answer alone. Whether you’ve noticed something or you simply want the reassurance before term starts, it’s a straightforward thing to tick off.
Our optometrists see children of all ages at all three of our practices, in relaxed and unhurried settings - and we’ll take the time to explain what we find.
Book an Appointment
Visit The Optical Gallery in Twickenham, Cheam Village or Chessington to book your child’s eye test before the new school year begins.
