Eye test in six year old - what is normal?

[CornflowerB]

DD1 (age 6) had an eye test at school today. She said she couldn't read the last two lines of the chart with her right eye and couldn't read the last line with the other. She said that some people could read the whole chart. I am very shortsighted and wore glasses from the age of four. To me it sounds like she is quite shortsighted in her right eye. Can anyone give me an idea of how shortsighted she might be? I was always the speccy kid and was really hoping that she wouldn't be, although the glasses are much prettier this days and she would probably be delighted with a Hello Kitty pair!
Of course bank hol weekend so can't follow up with the health service til next Tue...
Thanks very much.

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Surely the school would alert you if she hadn't reached the 'required standard' - otherwise you'll just have to take her for an eye test at a local optician (free for children). Both my DH and I needed glasses from age 12 so we have taken our DS for regular eye tests since he was 4 - he is 9 now and does not need glasses.

Yes I'm sure they will - I'd just like some indication in the meantime.

And I'm not in the UK so I don't think it is free.

It does depend on which chart they used but if it is a standard chart it sounds to me like the acuity in the right eye is 6/9 ( marginally below normal and the left is 6/6 ( normal)

If you are in Ireland, then IME it can take quite a while before you are contacted and it would be months before you get a HSE appointment.

You can take her to an independent optician for an opinion but again, if you are in Ireland, it won't be free, it is only free in a HSE clinic.

Usually but this can vary, 6/9 in a shortsighted child would be around -0.50 but I would not jump to the conclusion that she is shortsighted just yet! She could have a slightly lazy eye, astigmatism or might even be longsighted, you won't know until you get a proper exam.

And they really don't get called speccie any more, even if she does need glasses. Hannah Montana has even gotten in on the spectacle frame game and most little girls don't mind wearing them at all.

NiallOfTheNineHostages,
Go raibh mile maith agat! That is so helpful. Yes, I am in Ireland - how did you guess?
I think I will take her to the optician myself and get her tested for peace of mind. Think she would be only thrilled to have a pair of Hannah Montana glasses...
Hey, did you know about this?
www.ethnoancestry.com/Niall.html
Thanks again

Sorry, this is my usual name! Let me see, how did I guess you were in Ireland? Crappy health service that doesn't allow a free eye test for a child in a normal opticians? What other country could it be?