eyetests for toddlers

[MissWooWoo]

Having read some old threads about "extra" blinking i'm sure that it's one of those things that some kids do that they grow out of ... nevertheless I'd like to get my dd's (2.10) eyes tested, just to be on the safe side. My local branch of Specsavers said they don't do children under 6 and that I'll need to go to the hospital as they have the "special equipment" that's neeed. Was this woman talking out of her arse or do I really have to take go through the gp route?

You can get an initial eye test arranged through your Health Visitor, no need to go to your GP in the first instance. DD (4.1) has been under the Optometrist at our local Health Centre for the last year or so, and is going for her first hospital appointment in May.

Specsavers are talking rubbish. DS (not for extra blinking) was tested at our Health Centre when he was little, but they stopped it due to cuts and we were told to go to our local optician. Both DCs started going there long before they were 6.

my ds was tested at our local opticians when he was just 3...they show children/non readers pictures instead of asking them to read letters...ie..ladybird, a kite etc...he was only tested because the older kids had routine appts..

it wasn't a very thorough exam tbh, but his eyes were checked on the machine that looks close range at the eye....

try an independant instead.

Not all opticians deal with children. DD was referred through the hv to the hospital orthoptist at 18 months as she had a squint. She turned out to be long sighted and needed glasses.