Eye tests for children: a guide for parents

• The NHS offers free eye tests for children under 16 (and under 19 for those in full-time education)

• Signs that your child may need a test include squinting, rubbing their eyes, sitting too close to the TV. 

• Eye tests for children are designed to be engaging, straightforward and age-appropriate.

• Parents can make the experience positive by explaining the process in simple terms and bringing along a favourite toy for comfort.

Caring for your child’s eyes is very important, even if there are no clear eye problems now. Regular eye tests can help ensure their vision is clear and comfortable- as and when you should start these exams depends on various factors like your child’s age and family history. 

So, with the help of Specsavers, find our complete guide that includes helpful tips on when to schedule your child’s first eye test and what happens during the exam. We’ve also answered common questions that Mumsnet users ask over on our Talk boards. 

After all, knowing why early eye tests matter and what they entail can help you and your child both prepare ahead of time to make the appointment a little easier for all involved. 

The importance of early eye exams

As parents, we all want our children to succeed and good vision is key to that - making early eye exams essential. Opticians like Specsavers offer eye tests for younger children (infants and preschool age), especially if there's a family history of vision issues or signs like squinting, eye rubbing, or sitting too close to screens. Early detection through regular checkups ensures your child is set up for success, just like routine dental visits. 

After all, vision is crucial for childhood development and supports brain development, especially when children start reading and writing. 

Undiagnosed vision problems can hinder their progress, leading to frustration and low self-esteem. So, by acting early, you can make sure they have the visual abilities they need to reach their full potential. 

Preventing future eye problems

Since some eye problems may not show up right away, especially in young children, regular eye tests are very important. At their young age, they might not have the words to describe what’s wrong - so, routine eye exams can help find and fix potential issues before they get worse. 

By making regular eye tests part of your child's health routine, you are helping to protect their vision. This ensures they get the best start in life.

When may your child’s eyes be checked?

• Babies have a newborn vision checks within 72 hours after they’re born.

• They’ll have another check between six and eight weeks old as part of regular screenings. 

• Then at their development reviews (12 months old and between two and two-and-a-half years old), you may share any concerns you have and eye tests will be arranged at this point if necessary.

• Your child may have vision screening at their school, but this doesn’t happen in all areas of the UK. 

If your child’s vision isn’t checked at school, you should take them to your local opticians like Specsavers for a full eye examination by the time they’re four years old.

Signs that indicate your child may need an eye exam sooner

Regular eye examinations are important for all children, but there are some signs that might suggest they need one sooner. Parents should watch out for the following: 

• Obvious physical problems: Look for crossed eyes, watery eyes, persistent redness, a white pupil instead of black, or any signs of discomfort or light sensitivity.

• Behavioural changes: Pay attention if your child squints or rubs their eyes a lot. Complaints of headaches or blurry vision mean something could be wrong too. If they hold books too close or often lose their place when reading, that’s another sign.

• Developmental delays: If your child has trouble with hand-eye coordination or is clumsy, it might relate to sight problems.

If you notice any of these signs, it's very important to set up an eye examination with an optician right away, no matter your child's age.

Related: The most common eye conditions in children

Are eye tests free for children in the UK? 

Yes, the NHS offers free eye tests for children who are under 16 years old. They also cover those who are under 19 and in full-time education.

How often should children have their eyes tested?

Once you’ve completed your child’s first eye exam, it’s important to keep on top of their appointments. It’s best for kids to have their vision checked at least every two years. 

Although, your optician may suggest more regular checks based on their needs and symptoms. 

Preparing your child for their first eye test

Preparing your child for their first eye appointment with an optician can help make it a good experience overall. It’s normal for them to feel nervous about what will happen - but with a few simple steps, you can help calm their nerves. 

Talk openly about what to expect, let them know that the optician will check their eyes to make sure they’re healthy and can see well. Tell them that it’ll be fun, and will involve looking at pictures and lights. 

A few tips from Mumsnet users include: 

“I also suggest talking to the optician first and asking if they can do a mini test on you first so you essentially model it for him and he knows what will happen.” DifficultBWoman

“He doesn’t need to know letters. I know at kids hospitals here, optometry is set up to deal with kids before they know letters. Decals of every possible kids tv show character, superheroes, normal animals everywhere in different sizes and colours and they use those.” HoppingPavlova

“Bribery was the way to go for us, being allowed to choose a cake to eat in the cafe AND a bag of sweets to take home worked like a charm.” antidisestablishmentarianism

Keep in mind that your child can sense how you feel. Approach the visit with a positive and calm attitude. After all, your support and comfort can really help make the visit smooth and enjoyable for all involved. 

A step-by-step guide to children’s eye tests

Knowing what happens during a child’s eye examination can help reduce any worries you or your child might have. 

Step one: Initial assessment

• The doctor will ask questions about your child’s health, vision and any concerns you might have

• You’ll discuss your child’s birth history and family eye health history

• You’ll also be asked about your child’s overall health and development

Step two: Common tests performed

Children’s eye exams are made to look at different parts of their vision, even if they’re too young to read or recognise letters. Opticians use fun and suitable methods to keep tests interesting for children. Here are some common tests you may see:

• Visual acuity: Distance vision check using pictures, symbols, or letters

• Refraction: Determines if glasses are needed

• Eye muscle movement: Checks eye coordination

• Colour vision: Assesses colour perception

And remember - all tests are child-friendly, and designed to keep your child relaxed and engaged. The exam will be tailored to your child’s age and abilities, so will likely vary slightly with every visit.

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Step three: Results and next steps

• Your child’s optician should explain findings clearly

• And they’ll likely discuss any necessary treatments (eg glasses, vision therapy)

• They’ll also recommend follow-up care if it’s needed at this stage 

It's important to find and treat vision problems early. By following the optician's advice and going to any follow-up appointments, you can help your child have the best vision possible.

Related: Matching glasses for parents and children

Most common eye problems in children

If your child is struggling with their vision or showing telltale signs of eyesight problems, you should book an appointment at your nearest Specsavers. 

Symptoms to watch out for include things like straining their eyes, tilting their head, frequent eye rubbing, sensitivity to light, complaining of headaches or tired eyes, a ‘turn’ in their eye or misdirection among others. 

The most common eye problems in children are:

• Squints, a condition that causes the eyes to point in different directions while looking straight ahead

• Astigmatism, when the cornea or lens isn’t a perfectly curved shape 

• Short sightedness, they can focus on something close up but become blurred when further away

• Amblyopia, the medical term for a lazy eye

• Long-sightedness, can see items further away but blurry when close up

Our complete guide to the most common eye problems in children goes further into detail on symptoms and treatments for parents. 

Choosing the right eyewear for your child

For young children, eyewear isn’t just about style or personal preference. It’s about finding the right frames that are comfortable, durable and have the right vision correction. 

There’s a lot of options on the market for children’s glasses, which can be fun but a lot of choice to whittle down. So, when choosing glasses for your child, try to involve them in the process. Let them choose their frames. 

When choosing their pair of frames, consider the following:

• Durable frames that are flexible, lightweight and can handle the roughness of childhood well

• Comfortable fit that sit nicely on the nose, behind the ears and don’t pinch or fall off

• Scratch-resistant lenses are strong lenses that can help keep your child’s glasses safe from wear and tear

On top of these practical points, talk to your child’s optician. They can help you find frames that fit your child’s prescription and eye conditions. They can also advise on the best lens options and coatings for your child's comfort and vision correction.

When is the right time to transition your child to contact lenses? 

Glasses are often the first choice for better vision in kids. However, many older children want to try contact lenses. This is especially true for those who play sports or do activities where glasses can be a hassle. 

Choosing the right time to switch to contact lenses is a personal choice. So, it’s best to talk to your child’s optician about it.

The impact of screen time on children’s vision

Too much screen time can cause vision issues. These include eye strain, dry eyes, headaches.

Some tips for parents include:

• Start healthy screen habits early, encouraging regular breaks from screens.

• After 20 minutes, remind them to look at something far away to rest their eyes.

• Set up screen-free areas in your home, like the dinner table or bedrooms.

Of course in today's digital world, it's hard to avoid screens completely. We all use smartphones, tablets, computers and TVs every day. And while technology has many good things - as parents, we should be careful about how much screen time our kids have. 

We can set children up for success as parents, however, by doing the following: 

• Position your child’s screen about an arm’s length away to maintain good posture and avoid eye strain.

• Ensure good lighting in a room can help reduce eye fatigue.

• Regular eye exams should be scheduled, even if your child doesn’t show signs of vision issues - finding problems early is important! 

Your questions, answered

We recently ran a Q&A whereby Mumsnet users could ask Maria McAllister, BA BSc (Hons) MCOptom, Specsavers Lead Clinical Performance Consultant questions about their children’s eyesight.

Wallasey123 asked:

“My DS aged 6 spends a lot of time playing video games and he uses iPads at school and for homework so admittedly gets a fair bit of screen time 😅but he’s never complained about his vision and I’m pretty sure everything is ok. I always assumed it was something to do if we noticed any change / squinting etc. How urgent / important is it for him to get an eye test when everything seems fine?”

Maria answered: 

We know digital devices such as laptops and tablets are important tools for education, giving children access to endless amounts of information and resources. But if your kids are using screens for long periods of time without taking consistent breaks, it could impact their eyes, causing eye strain, soreness and may even contribute to the development of myopia, or as we refer to it, short-sightedness. Symptoms to look out for in your children include discomfort in the eyes, headaches, sore or tired eyes, difficulty focusing, dry eyes, blurred or double vision, and increased sensitivity to light. 

purplepandas asked: 

“How can an eye test be made 'easier' for an autistic child/young person please? Important to get them done but impossible atm.”

Maria answered:

There are a number of adjustments that can be made to make the process more comfortable for young children or those with any additional needs. It can sometimes help to bring the child in for a “familiarisation” visit prior to the day of the sight test itself. They can meet their optometrist, be allowed to spend some time in the consulting room etc. Extra time can be allotted and, if necessary, the child’s examination could be scheduled over more than one visit. Please call your local store to discuss.

Doopdoopdedo asked: 

“Both my children didn't have any issues when they had their last eye test and the optician didn't mention anything about when they needed to be seen next. How frequently would you recommend testing? Does the frequency change as they grow up?”

Maria answered:

Most very young children have their eyesight assessed as part of routine developmental checks. While these are very important, they aren’t as thorough as a complete eye test by a qualified optician. So we recommend that your child has their eyes tested before they go into full-time education, around three-and-a-half years. It also means that any problems that they may have, are identified early, setting them up for a happy and fulfilling school life.

About Specsavers

This year celebrates 40 years since Specsavers opened its first stores and the family-run business now has more than 900 across the UK. It was originally founded by Doug and Dame Mary Perkins, who started the company from their spare room working from a table-tennis table. 

At a time when optical care was hugely costly, Doug and Dame Mary believed that everyone deserves access to high-quality eye care and glasses and their mission revolutionised the industry. Delivering exceptional eye and hearing care for an affordable price remains one of Specsavers core values.

About the author

Rebecca Roberts is a writer, editor, and content marketing expert hailing from Leeds. Here at Mumsnet, she brings parents content designed to make life easier. As a mum-of-two, she’s all too familiar with the practical and mental preparation required for eye examinations with young children. So, she's fully invested in making sure fellow parents have all the information they need for success.

Beyond her role as an editor here at Mumsnet, Rebecca can be found balancing life as a working mum of two toddlers and when she’s not at her desk, you’ll likely find her at a local playgroup, in a nearby coffee shop, or walking the dog.

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