There are an estimated 37,000 blind and partially sighted children and young people in England and Wales.
When it comes to children’s health, eye care should be at the top of the list. But many parents don’t realise just how important it is to prioritise regular eye checks from a young age. Vision problems can impact everything from reading and writing to confidence and social development.
Did you know that 1 in 5 school-aged children have undetected vision issues? That’s why early eye tests are crucial, starting at six months and then at regular intervals. The NHS recommends vision screening at ages 4 to 5 to catch any problems early and ensure effective treatment.
Vision continues to develop from birth to around 8 years of age. Sight loss in children isn’t always easy to identify, as children might assume everyone sees the world as they do. That’s why routine eye check-ups are essential, even if there are no obvious signs of trouble.
Healthy eyes are the foundation for learning—after all, around 80% of what children learn comes through visual processing, which is why the sooner vision issues are spotted, the better the chances are of treating them effectively and helping your child thrive.
Free NHS sight tests are available at opticians for children under 16 and for young people under 19 in full-time education.
Why is early detection of eye problems so important?
Babies aren’t born with fully formed vision. They learn to see over time as their brains develop in the first couple of years of life.
As infants develop, the neural pathways connecting the brain and eyes are formed. If this process is disrupted, one or both eyes may not develop correctly, potentially leading to long-term vision issues.
Early detection is key, as it enables healthcare professionals to implement effective treatment plans that safeguard your child’s eyesight. Initiating treatment early not only enhances visual function but can also slow the progression of sight degeneration, significantly improving long-term outcomes.
What to expect at a children’s eye test.
A pupil reflex test
The pupil test is mostly carried out for babies. the doctor will point a shining light into your baby’s eyes to see how their pupils react to light.
Snellen and LogMAR charts
A children’s version of the well-known letters test. If the child is too young to be at the stage of reading letters, easily identifiable pictures or symbols will be used instead. Such as a: bunny, flower, house, anything your child will easily recognise.
Colour vision deficiency test
The colour vision deficiency test is used to identify colour blindness. The child will be asked to say which number or symbol they see on an image made up of different coloured dots.
Range of movements and Refraction test
The Optometrist will examine your child’s eye muscles to perform a range of movements test. This part consists of showing your child an object from 8 different angles: up, down, left, right, and halfway between.
A refraction test is designed to determine if your child would benefit from glasses. They will be asked to look at a light with different lenses on their eyes and asked if the lenses help them see better.
How to spot signs of an eye problem
Dr Charlotte Codina, Professional Lead for Orthoptics at The University of Sheffield and friend of LOOK, shares important signs that may indicate a vision problem.
“If you suspect that a child may have eye problems, it’s never too soon to get their vision checked. As an Orthoptist, I often check the vision of babies and toddlers and have lots of tricks to discover how well children see and whether their eyes behave as expected for their age.
Common signs that a child may be struggling to see are:
- Squinting – partially closing the eyelids, to try to make an image clearer
- Nystagmus – if the eyes move rhythmically or roam as if trying to locate something
- If the eyes appear to not focus together don’t seem to focus on common objects
- Eye misalignment – one eye may not be aligned with the other at times or constantly
- Sitting too close to a television or screen
- Rubbing their eyes excessively
- Tilting their head or closing one eye, to try to see more clearly
- Complaining of eye pain or headaches after or during visual activities
- Unable to concentrate on text for a long period of time
- Complaining of blurred or double vision
If you spot any of these signs and if your child is nursery-aged, you can talk to a GP or health visitor and arrange a referral to your Orthoptist and Ophthalmology team at your local hospital. For pre-school and school-aged children and older, contact your local Optometrist for a free children’s eye test.
It’s never too early to take great care of your eyes. Babies can wear hats and children’s sunglasses in long periods of bright sunlight. Eating a healthy and balanced diet, getting regular exercise and having yearly eye checkups, all help to keep your eyes well and seeing optimally.
Wearing up-to-date glasses as recommended and safety goggles for activities such as playing with Nerf guns, will keep your eyes comfortable and protected.
If you notice a change in your child’s sight, or if they tell you that their sight has changed – it’s usually best to get this checked out sooner rather than later. It’s possible to have more than one eye condition and many eye conditions are treatable.
In general, vision-impaired people don’t always take up their right to free eye tests at the local Optometrist, but it’s a good thing to do – every 2 years for adults and every year for children. If you suspect an eye problem, don’t delay – get your vision checked straight away.”
You Are Not Alone
LOOK understands that receiving a sight loss diagnosis for your child can feel incredibly daunting and overwhelming. This is why we have developed our Parent Support Group, a haven for parent carers meeting monthly, via zoom, to talk openly and honestly about what’s been happening for you and your child and gain insight, support, and strategies to manage difficult situations.
LOOK has a library of resources to help parents on their journey from diagnosis, to navigating the school system, to helping your child gain the independence they need to thrive in adult life.
This World Sight Day the IAPB have launched a global campaign to Love Your Eyes. Ensuring that children not only understand the importance of caring for their eye health but are also free from the weight of any social stigma associated with wearing glasses and other corrective treatments.
For more information and to learn about their World Sight Day by pledge, challenging parents to get their child’s eyes tested, click below.
Change lives on World Sight Day
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