How do I go about getting my ds' eyes tested?

[StarlightMcKenzie]

Think he has some short-sightedness but don't know how I get this investigated. Is it through a GP?

Short-sightedness will be picked up by an ordinary high street optician. I think I first took DC's when they were about 3 to get their eyes tested, but can I suggest that as your DS has ASD that you use a behavioural optometrist.

Behavioural Optometrists are usually recommended for retained reflexes/VT, but they check the child's visual skills, not just their 20/20 vision, which is what your average high st optician does. They will pick up any short-sightedness, but should also alert you if there may be underlying problems with his vision other than short sightedness.

you can ask for a referral to the local eye unit where he would probably see an orthoptist who would check his vision using picture cards, check for squints etc and also a doctor who may want to use eye drops to have a proper look in his eyes. Or he may be able to manage the opticians, some of the independent ones can be quite good with little ones, depends what you think he will manage best.

Are all these routes free?

eye unit and optician are free

Hi Star - how old is your ds? if he's under 5 then your HV can refer you to the hospital opthamologist, if he's older than ask your GP.

My dd (who's only 1) has just been through this & they were very good. It's free and if he needs glasses then you'll be given a voucher towards the cost of the glasses.

Just don't make the mistake I made and take him to the only opticians in the area that don't do free NHS frames! Boots, Specsavers, the supermarkets etc. all have free frames if you have the NHS voucher, the smaller independants might not...

Would definitely second the independent opticians as they seem to have the time it takes to be patient. You can always have the prescription and get the frames and lenses elsewhere if they don't have the style you'd like. My two did the letter charts from three (ds was hugely cooperative as a result) but they had the option of pictures as well.

I took DS to my opticians, which is boots. I explained that he had special needs when I booked and they booked him in for a late appointment with a bit of extra time (so there was no one else waiting). Unfortunately she was unable to do a proper assesment referred him to the hospital.
At the hospital they decided he needed glasses and gave me the choice of getting the glasses from them (they have a little shop) or having the voucher which is what I opted for as it is nearer to go back for the ineviatable repairs.

I took my ds to the local opticians. They are great with him and even managed to fit glasses comfortably with his hearing aids.