Vision is important to learning, so making sure your child’s vision is as good as it can be is essential. Children, particularly younger ones, don’t always know if there is something different about their vision and can’t always articulate if there is a problem. This is why the NHS offers free yearly eye tests to everyone aged under 16 (or under 18 if in full-time education). Your child may also qualify for NHS vouchers towards glasses.
Myopia, or short-sightedness, is becoming more common in children and we’re finding that it affects kids at a younger age now. It’s important to bring your child for regular check-ups as untreated vision problems can lead to difficulty with school work and an increased risk of vision complications in later life.
Kids’ zone
Here at Focalpoint, we understand that going to the optician can be daunting for some children so we’ve made a kids’ zone room. With comfy chairs, books and toys, it’s a place where children can relax and feel at ease. We can do eye tests for children as young as one year old, and have ways of communicating with youngsters who can’t read yet. The appointment lasts about 20 minutes and during that time we check their vision and eye health with a range of easy, non-invasive tests.
Glasses and contact lenses for children
If your child needs glasses, we have an excellent range for them to try in our kids’ zone. Children’s glasses have come a long way in recent years, with designers making frames in styles that kids enjoy wearing. It’s not all about how they look though, children’s glasses are designed to be comfortable to wear, to fit well, and be play-proof. Some of the kids’ frames brands we offer include Ray-Ban, Etnia Barcelona, Nano Vista, Wolf Cubs, Chloe and Zips. There’s sure to be a pair that your child will fall in love with and happily wear every day.
Despite our wide range of kids’ frames, we understand that glasses are not the best choice for every child and some will do better with contact lenses. We can fit contacts for children as young as 7, and find that they do very well with learning to insert, remove and look after their lenses.
Signs of vision problems in children
In between annual eye tests, there are ways for you to stay aware of your child’s vision progress. Signs that they might be having trouble with their eyesight include:
- headaches
- problems at school
- sitting very close to the TV
- rubbing their eyes, blinking lots or squinting
- avoiding reading and writing
- holding a book or tablet close to the face
If your child is experiencing any of these, it’s always a good idea to bring them in for an extra eye exam.
Book an appointment
If your child is due to have an eye test or you think they might have a problem with their vision, book an appointment now and we’ll soon have them happy and settled in our kids’ zone.