Active discussions

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Children's health

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

Eye tests for children

29 replies

DancingFlower1 · 07/08/2025 19:34

My son is nearly 5, about to start school in September. I want to get his eyes tested. My problem is that my son will not talk to anyone other than close family/friends, definitely not strangers. This makes going to the dentist and doctors very difficult so I don't see how I will get him to do the eye test. Has anyone had a similar problem and is there a way for him to do the test without having to talk to them?

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
WaitingforCoddy · 07/08/2025 19:45

I think the eye test is the least of your worries tbh. If he only talks to people he knows how will he cope with school. Has he been in a childcare setting and have they raised concerns or suggested he be assessed?

Pineapplewaves · 07/08/2025 19:50

Is there no Pre School Vision Screening in your NHS Authority? The eye test is done with pictures and lights so the child just has to point. My son quite enjoyed it as he had to wear silly glasses as well.

Unseenentity · 07/08/2025 19:50

Is this a formal diagnosis of selective mutism (eg in the context of autism, anxiety or related conditions?). Or just he is very shy?

For the basic Snellen chart I guess he could write out the letters instead of speaking them, similarly eg pointing for other elements of the test? Might take longer or be confusing to the unwitting opticians though.

There are specialist eye testing services for children who have neurodisability in the formal sense and might not be able to speak at all, though I'm not an expert in how these work or how they are made accessible.

Monkeymonster · 07/08/2025 20:07

My youngest was exactly the same and very shy. He whispered what he saw to me and I repeated to the optician. It's just pictures at that age.
No biggie. He's less shy now.
Ignore the "this is the least of your problems" type of sentiment. People (including children) are allowed to be shy and reserved.

CMOTDibbler · 07/08/2025 20:14

Different, but when my mum could no longer read due to dementia, they tested her eyes using the same methods as with small children and she had a sheet of pictures to point at which one was on the screen.

Original poster
DancingFlower1 · 07/08/2025 20:27

WaitingforCoddy · 07/08/2025 19:45

I think the eye test is the least of your worries tbh. If he only talks to people he knows how will he cope with school. Has he been in a childcare setting and have they raised concerns or suggested he be assessed?

I guess I didnt go into enough detail, he won't talk to strangers, he has been going to preschool since he was 2 and he will talk to adults after a while of seeing them everyday and learning to trust them. So no, it is not an issue of him needing to be assessed, he is just very shy.

OP posts:
Original poster
DancingFlower1 · 07/08/2025 20:33

Monkeymonster · 07/08/2025 20:07

My youngest was exactly the same and very shy. He whispered what he saw to me and I repeated to the optician. It's just pictures at that age.
No biggie. He's less shy now.
Ignore the "this is the least of your problems" type of sentiment. People (including children) are allowed to be shy and reserved.

Thank you so much for your reply. It's nice to hear we are not the only ones and some people understand. Hopefully he will just tell me the answers too!

OP posts:
Original poster
DancingFlower1 · 07/08/2025 20:33

CMOTDibbler · 07/08/2025 20:14

Different, but when my mum could no longer read due to dementia, they tested her eyes using the same methods as with small children and she had a sheet of pictures to point at which one was on the screen.

Thats good to know, thank you

OP posts:
SarahLHs · 07/08/2025 20:36

I believe most school conduct eye test is their first year anyway so could you just wait for that if you don’t have any urgent worries?

Original poster
DancingFlower1 · 07/08/2025 20:36

Unseenentity · 07/08/2025 19:50

Is this a formal diagnosis of selective mutism (eg in the context of autism, anxiety or related conditions?). Or just he is very shy?

For the basic Snellen chart I guess he could write out the letters instead of speaking them, similarly eg pointing for other elements of the test? Might take longer or be confusing to the unwitting opticians though.

There are specialist eye testing services for children who have neurodisability in the formal sense and might not be able to speak at all, though I'm not an expert in how these work or how they are made accessible.

Edited

Sorry, I probably didnt explain it that well. He is just extremely shy, he will talk to others that he sees often such as preschool teachers etc. He just has to learn to trust them first I think.

OP posts:
Original poster
DancingFlower1 · 07/08/2025 20:38

Pineapplewaves · 07/08/2025 19:50

Is there no Pre School Vision Screening in your NHS Authority? The eye test is done with pictures and lights so the child just has to point. My son quite enjoyed it as he had to wear silly glasses as well.

I guess not as he starts school in September and I've not heard of anything. Thank you for your reply!

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 07/08/2025 20:40

SarahLHs · 07/08/2025 20:36

I believe most school conduct eye test is their first year anyway so could you just wait for that if you don’t have any urgent worries?

But it's external people that come in to test eyes in school so there would still be the same issue.

@DancingFlower1 I'd see If he will tell you the answers at the opticians

Freshair87 · 07/08/2025 20:44

in reception they will do an eye test along with a height and weight measurement, my DD had it about half way through the year

Original poster
DancingFlower1 · 07/08/2025 20:49

SarahLHs · 07/08/2025 20:36

I believe most school conduct eye test is their first year anyway so could you just wait for that if you don’t have any urgent worries?

Do they? I wasn't sure as when I looked online it says all different answers, some saying you should have their eyes tested before they start school so I thought I better had.

OP posts:
Original poster
DancingFlower1 · 07/08/2025 20:50

dementedpixie · 07/08/2025 20:40

But it's external people that come in to test eyes in school so there would still be the same issue.

@DancingFlower1 I'd see If he will tell you the answers at the opticians

Show quote history

That is very true! Yes, I will take him and do it that way. Thank you for your reply.

OP posts:
Doristheclitoris · 07/08/2025 20:54

I have a situational mute 15 year old and I went to an independent opticians and explained the situation and they said if he wasn’t able to indicate and respond there were alternative tests they can offer

Haggisfish3 · 07/08/2025 20:58

Our optician had a machine that measures the rough prescription to start with so would give you an indication if his vision is ok or needing glasses.

Lottie6712 · 07/08/2025 21:43

DancingFlower1 · 07/08/2025 20:27

I guess I didnt go into enough detail, he won't talk to strangers, he has been going to preschool since he was 2 and he will talk to adults after a while of seeing them everyday and learning to trust them. So no, it is not an issue of him needing to be assessed, he is just very shy.

Show quote history

Mine is shy too. I took her to Specsavers and the optician was so good with her. I think opticians are used to making children comfortable.

Original poster
DancingFlower1 · 08/08/2025 05:49

Lottie6712 · 07/08/2025 21:43

Mine is shy too. I took her to Specsavers and the optician was so good with her. I think opticians are used to making children comfortable.

Show quote history

Thats good to know! Thanks!

OP posts:
Superscientist · 08/08/2025 08:24

Ask for recommendations from friends about the best optician for children in your area.
They no longer do eye tests in school where I am so we have my daughter booked in for an eye test next week. She isn't very good at speaking to strangers and has a few signs of selective mutism but it's not something we have investigated the school have been working on her communication skills though and building relationships between her and the staff at school so that they become "safe" adults in her eyes.

My friend has this issue with her daughter too so we are taking her to the best optician they saw - for various reasons they ended up having 3 eye tests at 3 opticians. Obviously we haven't had our appointment yet but my friends daughter whispered the answers to her mum and the mum told the optician.

jetlag92 · 08/08/2025 10:33

SarahLHs · 07/08/2025 20:36

I believe most school conduct eye test is their first year anyway so could you just wait for that if you don’t have any urgent worries?

That's not a proper eye test, it's better than nothing, but will only pick up some of the children who are either short-sighted or have amblyopia. It won't pick up the majority of those who have significant long-sightedness or latent eye muscle/alternating manifest binocular vision issues.
All children should have a proper test with an optometrist before they start school.

@DancingFlower1 Your child not being able to talk is not an issue at all. We determine the prescription in children using a special light called a retinoscope anyway and they can just point at things if we need them to read letters off a chart.

ArizonaOne · 08/08/2025 10:50

Superscientist · 08/08/2025 08:24

Ask for recommendations from friends about the best optician for children in your area.
They no longer do eye tests in school where I am so we have my daughter booked in for an eye test next week. She isn't very good at speaking to strangers and has a few signs of selective mutism but it's not something we have investigated the school have been working on her communication skills though and building relationships between her and the staff at school so that they become "safe" adults in her eyes.

My friend has this issue with her daughter too so we are taking her to the best optician they saw - for various reasons they ended up having 3 eye tests at 3 opticians. Obviously we haven't had our appointment yet but my friends daughter whispered the answers to her mum and the mum told the optician.

Thanks for your reply. It's nice to hear of other in the same situation! None of my friends children have this issue it seems so no one knows what to suggest. I will definitely be asking for recommendations now

ArizonaOne · 08/08/2025 10:52

jetlag92 · 08/08/2025 10:33

That's not a proper eye test, it's better than nothing, but will only pick up some of the children who are either short-sighted or have amblyopia. It won't pick up the majority of those who have significant long-sightedness or latent eye muscle/alternating manifest binocular vision issues.
All children should have a proper test with an optometrist before they start school.

@DancingFlower1 Your child not being able to talk is not an issue at all. We determine the prescription in children using a special light called a retinoscope anyway and they can just point at things if we need them to read letters off a chart.

Show quote history

Thanks for replying! Thats really helpful to know. Im glad I am trying to do the right thing getting him tested. His dad's side of the family all wear glasses, I don't know if that makes a difference but it made me think I should get him checked.

Seeline · 08/08/2025 11:00

I wouldn't trust the school tests. They sent my DS for further testing - he went every year for 3 years and there was never anything wrong, but my DD who has really bad vision wasn't picked up.

Original poster
DancingFlower1 · 08/08/2025 11:30

Seeline · 08/08/2025 11:00

I wouldn't trust the school tests. They sent my DS for further testing - he went every year for 3 years and there was never anything wrong, but my DD who has really bad vision wasn't picked up.

Thanks, I will definitely get him checked outside of school!

OP posts: