Optometrist for toddler

[LifeAbroad]

I hope I'm posting this correctly, but I needed some advice on good optometrists in the Chiswick area (near Sainsbury along high street) for my 3yo. His nursery teacher mentioned he might have a lazy eye. Any recommendations on an eye doctor that's good with kids? Sherman Opticians?

Very young children are usually assessed by an orthoptist at a hospital ophthalmologist's clinic, rather than by a high street optician. You will need to ask your GP for a referral.

Oh really? I asked my GP and he said a high street optician is ok. Would Western Eye Hospital be the type of place to go? We're new to the UK and I'm trying to figure out the medical system. Argh. Thanks for your input.

I speak from experience with both of my children when I say you need to be seen at a hospital clinic. They have specific tests suitable for children of this age and expert eye doctors rather than a high street optician - no insult intended.

We have needed referrals from a GP to the eye clinic in both cases, it wasn't a case of self referral, although I'm happy to be told if the situation varies from city to city.

So best thing to do is to take him to the GP and ask for a referral to a hospital clinic? No insult taken. Truly. We were living in White City and I haven't switched GP's yet so I don't go in if I don't have to.

On another note, do you all have any recommendations for GP's in Chiswick? Any thoughts on Chiswick Health Centre on Fisher's Lane? A mum also suggested a smaller GP on Glebe Street.

Health Visitor referred my son to hospital after 2 yr check. If GP unhelpful might be worth speaking to HV team.

My dd was referred via the hv and was under the care of the orthoptist at the hospital until she was age 7ish