How do I get my child's eyes checked? Local optician won't see them until 6 yo

[EldonAve]

D&A's website says "Optometrists and the NHS recommend that you have them tested at least once a year from the age of around three"

Yet my local branch won't see my child until he is 6

We have previously been to the eye hosp for a suspected squint but got discharged

Should I try other opticians? Or ask the GP?

If your dc is at school then in your position I would ring the school nurse for further advice. Or I might ring one of the bigger opticians to see what their policy is. Did your local optician give a reason?

p.s. if not school age then ask the hv. We were at the clinic yesterday and they were doing some sort of eye testing. It is part of the 2.5 year old check in this area.

Try D&A, if they recommend it.

Do you have a specific concern? That might persuade them.

My ds got an eye test before he started school, but his friend has had glasses since before nursery, maybe worth going through your HV?

My local Specsavers did eyetests on DD from her being 3.

Lemonmeringue - sorry my OP wasn't clear, my local D&A said not until 6

I don't see the HV but I could call them and ask

Try boots my ds is 4 and they have justed tested his, they used pictures instead of the letters was great really nice and good with him.

No, that was me - you said it was your local branch. Bit odd.

DS had his eyes tested at Boots from a very young age (he is fine). However took DD there when she was 3 and they said she was too young. They did a referral to my GP and then DD was seen by the NHS service.

How old is your DS? I would probably see the GP.

He is just 5

DD first tested at boots when she was 3. I believe that it could be due to some opticians being optomitrists and some being ophthalmic opticians one has longer training than the other and is able to test children younger.

Like anyone else, it depends on their expertise (echoing Lizcat) as they need to stay within their scope of practice as much as any other HCP.

Equally you'd want your DS seen by someone with expertise in younger children/their common eye issues, else they might not be referred if needed.

ask your gp or health visitor. it took me 1 year with dd1 of going to various branches of various opticians. it turns out she has v bad astigmatisms and is v long sighted in both eyes. she basically couldnt see anything clearly for the first 4 years of her life. i feel so terrble for her but so glad that i finally got round to going to the gp about it. well worth being pushy at local health centre.

i would try other opticians

we took ds1 to our local Batemans last year (he was 4 and a half) and they tested him

thanks everyone

try a different optician. i used to be an optical assistant in an independent opticians - we saw them from 3. lots do so just ask around.

All childrens eyes are checked in school from age 5yrs. Ask the school nurse when this will be, the school nurses used to do eye tests on all 5yr olds, this has now been replaced by visiting opticians.
The school will confirm.

all opticians have different advice on how young they can test children. I think it all depends on how confident they are about testing children. Call up a few different opticians and ask them how young a child they are willing to test. My opticians have 3-5 different opticians and they all specialise in different areas. one of them can test children as young as 1 year olds. If they can't do all the tests they can refer you to a hospital optician.
Ideal for them to be tested before they are 4 yrs as the older they get the more difficult it is for the eyes to learn how to see clearly if they need glasses and are not given them.

i wouldnt rely on the school to do it for you, the schools here dont

also you need a proper eye test from a qualified optician - the HV used to do a quick check but that again can be very misleading.

i would simply book your child in with a good child friendly opticians - its free and worth doing.

thanks