Eye testing

[tipp2chicago]

Both DH and I wear glasses for shortsightedness. I can read etc without glasses but need them for computer, tv and the like. DH need them for everything- cant even read in bed without them.

At what age should we start taking her to get her eyes tested?

Thank you all very much for your help!

I asked my optometrist this very question, as my eyes are like your husband's and my husband's are like yours.

I was told that unless there is an obvious problem, i.e. squinting, lazy eye, etc, testing sight is really not done until they start school as it is easiest if they can identify letters, the same way you and I do when we get ours examined.

Thank you very much Tee.

I suggest you ask for a referral. I don't know how old your child is but my DD was tested at age 2 because I have poor eyesight and she was given glasses straight away. She wore them for 5 years and now her eyes are fine. Hopefully no glasses ever again! Unlike me. I was tested at 7 and have worn them ever since. Wish I'd been caught earlier!

Both DH and I need glasses for short-sightedness. I took DD1 for an eye test when she was about to start school, and will do the same with DD2 unless I see any signs that she needs testing earlier.

Do they not routinely test at pre school age anymore then? Ds is only 7 but they were all pulled in for testing at drs surgery at 3.

We thought his sight was spot on but he ended up with glasses. He no longer needs them however as it was caught early and responded to corrective treatment with glasses.

our local optician will do eye tests from the age of 3. DD had a squint so she was tested at 18 months and got glasses and still has them age 9 (she was under the care of the orthoptist at the local hospital until the age of 7, now goes to the optician). DS got a pre-school eye test age 4 and was ok. He got tested this year at age 6 as he complained of sore eyes and got a mild prescription for glasses for close work e.g. reading, writing, etc

my dd is 4, and has been wearing glasses since she was 1.5, she was referred to the hospital to get her eyes tested at 1 year. we go back every 6 months to check her prescription.
if you're concerned, your hv or gp can refer you to a paediatric optometrist.

I asked my HV as both DH and I are v short-sighted (DH started wearing glasses at 4, although I was a teen) and DS had been squinting a lot. She refered DS to the Community Optomotrist who can test the eyesight development of very young children eg: that the eyes follow a light or moving object, that they work together, focus at different distances etc. Turns out DS was fine, just scowling! I spoke to my optician too, who can do something similar.

Sorry, DS was just 2 when we saw Community Optomotrist.

Don't wait til school age. If a child has amblyopia (one eye sees well, one doesn't) you would not pick this up as can be present without a squint. The only way of detecting this is by testing each eye separately and if left til school age it is much harder and takes longer to correct.
Children do not need to be able to read letters or even name pictures, the optician will test objectively using a light so can be done from a very young age.
Hope it goes well!

The screening they do at school is not a substitute for regular eye tests. We started taking them when they were about 5 and now take them once a year (except for DD who we took every 6 months as she had a slight squint as a baby and was v.slightly long-sighted in infant school).

I was told you shoud take your child yearly from Reception age onwards (earlier if you spot a problem).

That's the age i took both my DC as both DH and i wear glasses and DH is also colour blind. Thankfully neither of my DC are.

OldBean, I was told the same. DS was referred to have his eyes tested by HV following his 1 year check because my DH is very short-sighted. All was fine then and I was told that his eyes would be tested at school when he was in reception and I would then need to have his eyes tested yearly thereafter.

Does anyone know if you need to pay or would it be covered by the NHS even if not formally arranged by a health professional? Obviously, I will get his eyes checked regardless, just wondering what the correct way of going about it was.

Children's eye test are on the NHS but i wouldn't rely on them testing at school. Do they still do this? Mine are at a small private school so not tested at school (or weighed/measured either).

Nolda, it's worth keeping an eye on your DS. Look out for sighs that he's straining to focus. My nephew wore glasses from 3 for a couple of years and they managed to correct his vision. He's now 14 and glasses free.

you dont need to pay for kids eye tests - take them to a local optician that deals with children and get them tested there.