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Children’s Eyecare

Children’s Eyecare

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Make sure your child’s vision stays on track with regular eye tests every 1-2 years. The sooner we spot any issues, the better chance we have of protecting their vision for life. Early treatment can make all the difference to how well your child sees – not just now, but for years to come.

We know how important good vision is for your little one’s learning and development, which is why we specialise in children’s eye care here at The Optical People. Whether your child needs their first eye test, has broken their glasses (again!), or you’re concerned about their vision, our friendly team is here to help.

Common eye issues in children

There are several treatable issues that commonly affect youngsters’ vision.
They include:

  • Squint – when the eyes are not directed at an object at the same time
  • Amblyopia or ‘lazy eye’ – when one eye’s vision is weaker
  • Myopia – difficulty focusing on faraway objects
  • Astigmatism – irregular curvature of the eye, which causes blurriness
  • Hypermetropia – where the eye focuses light behind the retina, leading to blurred vision, especially at near distances.
Common eye issues in children

Signs your child might need an eye test

Signs your child might need an eye test From climbing trees to jumping in puddles, children are often far too busy to notice they’ve got a vision problem. Here at The Optical People we take childrens eye health seriously and believe all children no matter their age should have an examination. This gives parents peace of mind by ruling out common concerns but also by screening for the more rare and worrisome childhood eye conditions. It is a good idea to book an eye examination for your child if they have never had one, its been over 2 years since their last check, or if they are:

Sitting too close to screens or books
Squinting or tilting their head to see better
Frequent eye rubbing or complaints of headaches
Difficulty concentrating on schoolwork
One eye turning in or out
Poor hand-eye coordination
Child-friendly eye examinations

Child-friendly eye examinations

We understand that an eye test isn’t going to be every child’s idea of a great time.

However, our experienced team uses age-appropriate techniques and equipment, including special charts designed for young ones who haven’t yet learned to read, making the experience comfortable and, dare we say, fun!

NHS eye care for children

All children under 16 (and those under 19 in full-time education) are entitled to free NHS eye examinations. They also receive an NHS optical voucher towards the cost of glasses or contact lenses if needed.

NHS eye care for children
Advanced Eye Examinations for Children

Advanced Eye Examinations for Children

As standard, all children attending our clinics receive free-of-charge myopia screening using a piece of equipment called a biometer. This measures the length of your child’s eye and plots their future risk of developing myopia on growth curves similar to what parents are used to in ‘red books’. We believe this is extremely important, as myopia is a condition that can significantly affect children’s futures—and is now something we can effectively manage if detected early enough. That’s why we’ve developed a dedicated myopia management programme to help monitor and control its progression. Look out for our myopia fun days on socials!

Specialist eyewear

We’re proud to offer a suite of child-focused services and products to help safeguard their vision for years to come, including:

  • Stellest and MiyoSmart lenses for myopia management
  • Expert fitting of complex prescription
  • Durable, comfortable frames designed for active children
  • Contact lens options for suitable candidates (age assessed on an individual basis)

Contact lens fitting is available for children of any age, subject to our optometrist’s assessment and parental consent.

Specialist eyewear