Failed reception eye test

[Dn11995]

Hi all,

my little boy failed his routine eye test with results sent to me of 0.25 and 0.225 - not too bad, nothing to worry about so I booked him an opticians app to make sure.

+4 each eye his prescription has come back from the opticians now from his appointment! such a significant prescription for his age and so different to what school test suggested!

many ideas? Experiences?

DS has worn +6.50 since a toddler.
Taking stuff into school to assess child after child, many who are over excitable, must be difficult so my understanding is that it’s only a basic assessment so the DC can be referred/signposted onto opticians/the eye hospital.

They're different measurements OP. The school eye test is simply a measurement of the amount of letters each eye can read on a chart.
Usually it's a logmar chart, so the equivalent would be of him reading about 1-2 lines lower than he should. They don't have the qualifications, ability or equipment to actually check the strength of any glasses needed or to check if it's a problem with the health of the eye.

So a logmar acuity of 0.2 is equivalent to about 6/9 or 20/35

That's why you were referred to the opticians. They then do the other checks to see why they can't see the bottom line.

Might be worth speaking to the school nurse team who carried out the check? My child had similar and I rang and they said it was borderline. My child was referred to the ophthalmology department as part of the check. In the end he didn’t need glasses.

My child 'failed' this test so had a follow up appt at hospital. Turned out the school gave the kids a test involving capital letters (which he hadn't learnt yet) so it gave a false impression of his eyesight. The hospital test involved pictures and colours which he did really well at, turned out his vision was absolutely fine all along! Maybe you could ask what the test included to check the same thing didn't happen to you too!

But he's been to the optician too for a test....
The school nurse test is a basic test to pick out children who may need further testing.

So thankful for the basic school screening, it picked up my daughter too who had similar prescription to your son, I felt really guilty that I hadn't known but the opticians explained to me about how young children strain their eyes to work round the short sightedness.

The school test is basic screening and the opticians more in depth, so that's why all school van say is there is a difference worth looking in to,

Hope you're ok I know I felt a bit rocked by the news that my daughter was so short sighted. Her prescription has reduced over time :)

As others, it's a basic test.

My DS eyesight was also flagged from this just before Christmas, I feel so guilty I didn't realise!

Hes got his glasses and doing well.

The school test is very basic check can they read these letters.

The opticians are qualified and have the equipment to complete a thorough examination. Thats the accurate test.