Do you have questions about children’s eye health? Ask Specsavers expert - £200 voucher to be won

[BellaMumsnet]

Whether you’re wondering when to schedule your child’s first eye test or have concerns about the effects of screen time on their eyes, Specsavers senior optician Maria McAllister is here to provide expert guidance.

• Everyone who shares a questions on the thread below by the 25th August 2024 will be entered into a prize draw
• One lucky Mumsnet user will win a £200 voucher for a store of their choice
• Maria will be back on the week of the 26th August 2024 to answer some of your questions

About Maria McAllister, BA BSc (Hons) MCOptom, Specsavers Lead Clinical Performance Consultant: “Maria graduated from the University of Ulster in 2009 with a BSc in Optometry and completed her pre-registration at Specsavers Montrose. She then served as a resident optometrist and practice manager at Duncan and Todd Optician, becoming retail director by 2017, overseeing professional services, hearing care, and retail departments. Maria joined Specsavers in 2021 in the clinical performance team. Driven by a passion for supporting and engaging people, Maria also pursued a BA in Business Management and is currently completing an MSc in counselling and psychotherapy.”

Here’s what Maria has to say:
‘Your child’s eyes are special. In the early years, vision helps them find out about the world around them, about their home, about you. Later, as they go through school, their eyesight lets them learn and discover — in fact, about 80% of what is taught in schools is presented visually. Being able to see clearly is therefore incredibly important in your child’s overall development. Here at Specsavers we take your child’s eyesight seriously, so I'm looking forward to answering your questions.'

Thanks and good luck!
MNHQ

Insight Terms and Conditions apply

My DS aged 6 spends a lot of time playing video games and he uses iPads at school and for homework so admittedly gets a fair bit of screen time 😅but he’s never complained about his vision and I’m pretty sure everything is ok. I always assumed it was something to do if we noticed any change / squinting etc. How urgent / important is it for him to get an eye test when everything seems fine?

How would you know if your baby is long or short sighted ?? how soon would it become obvious to a parent developmentally ?

How young can children wear contact lenses, my DS wears glasses for school, but would really like contacts - but feel he is too young - (short sighted aged 11)

My DC reads with a book really close to his face, but the last optician after a routine eye exam with a short sighted test said he was fine, long sighted test is superb too. We have tried to persuade him to read with a book at arms length, do you think this would damage his eyes - btw he reads comics and watches TV fine at a normal range.

Me and my DH started are short and long sighted respectively - would this genetically affect our DC's having sight problems later in life (did not require spectacles until teens )

How can an eye test be made 'easier' for an autistic child/young person please? Important to get them done but impossible atm.

Can specsavers come into schools ? are there any plans to get there ? It can be difficult to get a youngster to the opticians if you have other younger children and only use public transport. Like the nit nurse, children's eye care has taken a hit from being an annual visitor to school.

When should toddlers have their first eye test, and how frequent should they be ideally ?

I let my DC's play games on their Switch, and they watch a couple of hours of TV in the evening, but I notice they don't blink a lot when engrossed - can this lead to eye health problems in the future ?

What's the best thing to do when a child gets something in their eye?

Do the glasses that claim to reduce the progression of myopia actually work, especially if the child doesn't wear glasses all the time? Are contact lenses or glasses better at slowing the progression of myopia?

I'd never heard of these glasses until I took my daughter for a routine eye test and found she was short-sighted. Then I was given a leaflet and had to decide there and then whether to spend several hundred pounds on them or go for normal free glasses. I am very short-sighted and have been so since the age of 7, so I hope they actually work.

My DS wears spectacles for shortsightedness, but often looks over the top of them when speaking to me, and doing most things - he has been wearing them for about 6 months, and has a prescription similar to me - would this habit cause deterioration in his sight - thinking of picking. a new pair of glasses, but these cost me £260. Any advice ?

What is your best tip to stop a child from loosing their glasses when wearing them playing out ?

I have not been since before Covid - due to the proximity of the eye examiner and yourself and your children are masks still worn - if not can I ask the examiner to wear one ?

Hello Maria, my question is, how frequently would a child's prescription usually change once first prescribed, and is it easy to fit new lenses into existing frames which were expensive. Thank you.

Is there any evidence that a poor diet (restricted by the child) would have any impact on eye health ? My DS eats very little fruit and only 'hidden' vegetables and I can get vitamins down him most days.
Thank you.

Do children have the puff air test for their eyes - I know my DS would not tolerate this - is it necessary at a young age ?

My question is why have you not got an Orthoptist answering these questions?!

Is it true that looking at the horizon more often leads to better eyesight and so living in cities is bad for kids eyesight?

My DD used to read under the bed covers after lights out using a little torch. Around that time her prescription increased significantly and the optician said it could have partly been caused by this reading in the dark!
I never encouraged the secret reading and took away the torch when she had it, but I had always thought this was a myth? Surely straining her eyes didn't cause this? I also have a similar level of short sightedness so thought it more likely it was inherited.

My partner and I, both sets of grandparents and my sister all wear glasses so I'm assuming it's important to keep a check on my 2 year olds sight as she gets older. What age should she start having eye tests?

Is it possible for my autistic 4 year old with limited language and understanding to have an eye test? My other children all wear glasses so I know it's important to get tested but he isn't capable of understanding the sort of things an optimist would ask so how could it be done?

My husband and I both wear glasses. How likely is it that our three DC will need them? So far all are ok at ages 9, 12 and 14. How frequently should their eyes be tested?

By getting them referred to an Orthoptist, either via GP/health visitor/paediatrician

My question entirely!
Orthoptists are so better equipped to answer, and without commercial bias 😍