How often do you take DC for eye test?

[WaterBottle123]

Took DD1 today, she's 10 and we hadn't been since 2018, got slightly told off by optician, even though DD1 has perfect sight.

Bumped into friend afterwards who said none of her DC had ever been.

Curious what's normal? And if you don't visit the optician do you also not visit dentist?

I’m taking mine for the first time this week and she’s 8. I don’t think it’s the sort of thing you do unless you need to because there’s an issue. She’s had the usual eye tests in school with the school nurse. But I couldn’t see the point of taking her to the optician until she complained of an issue. To be honest, neither Dh or I have ever been and we’re 40 (both still have perfect vision so never had a reason to go).

I’ve taken both of mine every year since they were three (now eight and six), but DH has awful eyesight, needing glasses from an early age, and I have a big astigmatism that could have been averted with earlier intervention as a child, so we’re both probably a bit on the over-cautious side. Mine love getting the annual letter - they wouldn’t let us not go!

Opticians annually.

Dentists...i think ds1 has been 3 times and he's 13. Same for ds2. Youngest, 3 has never been. Our dentist is fine with this.

Fair enough. I didn't think most ppl went every year, although I do know the school tests aren't reliable so perhaps one check on top of that is sensible...

@BurgundyBells

Opticians annually.

Dentists...i think ds1 has been 3 times and he's 13. Same for ds2. Youngest, 3 has never been. Our dentist is fine with this.

@BurgundyBells our dentist has the kids on six monthly checks but that is probably because he's private, I might cut down...

Annually. Children often don't realise that they have a problem.

Dentist 6 monthly.

Dd(5) I've never taken her to the opticians.
I can remember Dd1 getting eye tests at school, don't think I ever took her myself. Dentist visit every 6 months.

'To be honest, neither Dh or I haveeverbeen and we’re 40 (both still have perfect vision so never had a reason to go).'

You think...

My kids go every year. Only 1 wears glasses. Adults should get tested every 2 years

I would have thought anyone driving a car should go regularly? Other adults, probably fine if no headaches etc.

Ours are now on two yearly checks
As no problems and older
The way people take their eye health for granted terrifies me as someone who works in eye health and visual impairment support
How can people take something so precious so utterly for granted
Boggles my brain
Mine went annually when younger
DH and I go every two years but I have regular checks in a hospital on something that was picked up routinely that I had no idea was there that could be very nasty

Once you've been for the first test the optician will tell you whether your child needs to be seen annually or not.
DD has a slight squint so she's seen annually but both Ds are seen every two years. One has glasses with only a slight change in prescription and the other doesn't have glasses...yet.

And you can have sight threatening conditions with no symptoms
Eye tests can also pick up on a huge range of health conditions
And not a headache to be seen.....

2 years for adults, annually for children according to our optician. No problems. Took dc1 aged 5 after starting school then whenever they send me a reminder. Can't say I would go without the reminder.

Kids go every year although after most recent check in February they said to come back in 15 months. Now 9 and 6. I do wear glasses and have since 10 so probably a bit more conscious but also have known of a child where eye cancer was picked up at eye test appointment so think it’s important to get eye health checked.

As a child, I don’t recall ever having an optician appointment.

My twins had appointments with ophthalmology until they were about 4 because they were premature - and since then I would take them every year. In 2019 both twins needed glasses and they’ve had six month checks, just gone back to yearly. I get free eye checks with work so it makes sense to do us all at the same time.

@Popcornbetty

'To be honest, neither Dh or I haveeverbeen and we’re 40 (both still have perfect vision so never had a reason to go).'

You think...

🤣

I’m sorry but it really is up to the PP and her husband if they can see clearly enough to function in their lives. Yes an optometrist will be able to keep an eye on the health of the eye, even if the person’s vision is fine, but most people don’t go unless they have issues with their sight.

Personally I was last checked about 10 years ago and had perfect vision. I’m now knocking on 50 and I know my vision isn’t perfect anymore but I also know directly I start to use glasses I will always need them thereafter. So I shall continue to use my eye muscles until such a point where I can no longer read fine print.

I'm shocked at the wishy washy attitude towards eye health on this thread, it is so important not just ist for vision but other potential conditions too. I remember my Aunt swearing she had 20/20 vision, no headaches and hadn't been checked for years, turned out she needed bifocals!

just*

But it isn't just about whether you think you can see well
Eye health can be fragile

Oh and my eldest has only ever had an eye test at school and my youngest has never had his eyes tested. I do quiz my eldest regularly about whether he has any problems with reading and tell him if he ever struggles to tell me and we’ll get his eyes tested.

I've got terrible eyesight so take the kids annually because it's so routine for me if that makes sense. Dentist every 6 months pre covid, who knows when they'll start doing routine checkups again. Tbh as both are free for dc on the NHS there's no reason not to go, keeps us occupied after school one day

And the ignorance about glasses and eye health is depressing but unsurprising

Ds went yearly until they picked up an issue and referred back to hospitals. He now goes every 3 months.

Dentist he is under the specialist dentists as he is autistic and so in normal times sees them every 3 months too

Opticians annually. I got my first pair of glasses when I was 6 after a routine appt, I still vividly remember putting them on for the first time and being awed by what I could see. I had no idea my vision was rubbish, I thought what I could see was normal, but putting glasses on and realising that leaves had veins in them, that streetlights aren't big spiky things with halos around them.... it was magical. It's entirely feasible that a child wouldn't complain of anything that suggests a problem with vision.