Does anyone know anything about the vision test that's carried out in Reception?

[WastingMyYoungYears]

Especially when it should be carried out, and a link to the relevant info.

TIA.

[PenguinsandtheTantrumofDoom]

Ours was quite late in the year - summer term I think.

It's pretty basic though. If you are worried, you are far better going to an optician

[greensnail]

In our area all children get invited for a vision check at the hospital when they turn 5. I was very glad of it as we discovered dd1 needed glasses. I don't think she had another sight check at school, just a hearing test.

[WastingMyYoungYears]

Thanks for the replies.

I understand that it should be carried out close to when the DC turns 5, I'm just trying to find out if that's correct, and where this is stated.

I'm not actually concerned about DS's vision, or at least I wasn't until he did badly on this vision test at just over 4 years old! The woman I spoke to initially thought that he should be referred to the eye clinic, but then said that she would come back around Christmas when he was older (er, very slightly) and repeat the test.

[PenguinsandtheTantrumofDoom]

Our class was all done the same day, so I am not sure it is birthday based.

[NaiveMaverick]

I was told they'd refer DS to the hosp. They never did.

Years later I found out he did have a slight problem and he should have been referred.

[PercyGherkin]

Just go to the optician. The test will be much more thorough there.

[ReallyTired]

You can get a free optican test at your convience. There is no need for your child to be able read as they have a clever instruments that do a lot of the work.

Regular eye tests every couple of years or so are an important health screening. My son had terrible headaches before we realised he needed glasses. DD eyesight was tested last summer. Her vision was perfect and she will be retested sometime in 2016.

[gymboywalton]

i think the reception check is very important. my son was 'caught' at this check. the vision in his left eye was exceptionally poor and we would never have known. he has worn glasses ever since and he has gonce from having practically no vision to fabulous vision .

[Angelto5]

I second just getting an appt at the optician.
My ds(now 8 & in yr 4) passed his sight test in reception but in year 1 his teacher was concerned as he was an excellent reader but always closed one eye.his sight was found to be quite poor but now wears glasses & his sight is improving.

[AnythingNotEverything]

I second eye tests for young children. 1 in 12 boys is colour blind. Many families would know of the chance through family genetics, but it's worth checking.

[mrz]

In my area all children are checked at the same time regardless of month of birth.

[WastingMyYoungYears]

But mrz, at what point of the year are they checked?

There seemed to be a possibility that my son might have done badly due to his very young age / shyness. The re-test at Christmas doesn't seem to have happened yet.

I think I might take him to the optician, at least we could be there for the test.

[mrz]

It varies ... There are a small number of teams to cover all the schools in the LA so some are checked almost as soon as they enter reception while others aren't seen until the summer term.

[mrz]

The check carried out in school in my LA is very basic so most children would pass even if they had sight problems IMESSAGE

[ThatBloodyWoman]

My dd's squint was missed.
I recommend going to a good independent optician.

[SingSongSlummy]

Ours just took place this week for the whole reception class - DD1 has just turned 5 but I think that was a coincidence.

[curlyclaz13]

Another one for going to the Opticians, it is free and as already mentioned they do not need to be able to read letters to see if glasses are required. I would imagine a test at the opticians is more thorough as they are not trying to fit 20-30 children in at a time !

[BackforGood]

Same as Mrz said.
They come to school and do the whole class in the same morning, so it's not birth date related. there isn't a 'time of year' as the vision testing people have to go to all schools, so they will start in September or October, and work their way through the LA - whether that's alphabetical or geographical or whatever.

Anyone with concerns should just go along to an opticians though- it doesn't cost anything and they are happy to see you.

[WastingMyYoungYears]

Okay, I'll go to the opticians - I don't have concerns other than the original test result though!

I do believe that his young age / shyness may have contributed though.

[WastingMyYoungYears]

Just to add, I've definitely heard of other schools carrying out this check at at least two different time points during the school year.

[MrsCakesPrecognition]

When DS was in reception, they came in once a term and tested all the children turning 5 that term. I'm not sure if it was logistically easier or if it was done to eliminate variance due to age.

[Blueblueblueblue]

I take mine to the opticians myself once a year. Takes 15 mins, it's free.

[Marmot75]

I took my son to the optician to be tested before he started school last September. As mentioned above it was free and very thorough. They used cards with pictures on as he didn't know letters at that stage. His vision was fine but it was well worth the appointment in my opinion. I haven't heard anything about a Reception test but it seems better to do it before school in case there is a problem that might impact learning.

[Barbeasty]

DD's whole class was tested this week, postponed from last term, and she isn't 5 until the summer.

She was being seen by orthotics until a year ago, and they said to have the reception test and then take her to an option 2 years later.

They don't catch everything- my DN was found to have double vision aged 7. She'd just never realise things should look different.