FAQs regarding Children’s Vision. Please contact us should you have any questions

 

Q: At what age should I bring my child for an eye examination?
A: Children can be tested at any age. We recommend all children have an eye test before they start school. If you have no concerns, book your child’s first eye exam around the age of 4 or 5. However, if there is a history of visual problems in the family or you have any concerns, you should book an appointment right away.

Q: How can you test my child’s eyes if they can’t read?
A: Reading a letter chart is only a very small part of the eye exam and it is not necessary for young children. We check how your child responds to certain visual stimuli and play matching games with toddlers to assess their vision. More importantly, we will also check the health of their eyes.

Q: I think my child sees fine, wouldn’t I know if there was a problem?
A: Unlike adults, children have very flexible eyes and can use their focussing power to make things clear so may not complain of blurry vision. However, vision problems can be the reason why a child does not perform well at school. Successful outcomes are more likely with early detection and treatment. Children’s eyes are fully developed by the time they are 8 years old so it is very important to have any problems detected before this.

Q: My child had an eye test at school, why do they need to see an optician?
A: A school eye check normally requires children to read a letter chart. Long sightedness can be missed and school checks are not always carried out by an eye care professional. The health of the eye is also not checked. If left undetected, some sight defects cannot be corrected once your child is older than 7.

Q: My child often complains of headaches but can see fine, what should I do?
A: Just because your child seems to be able to see well doesn’t mean they wouldn’t benefit from using glasses. Often children who are long sighted will complain of headaches or tired eyes but not blurry vision. This is because they are working their eyes hard in order to be able to see clearly.

Q: Can my child wear Contact Lenses?
A: Children as young as 10 (or younger in some circumstances) can experience the freedom of contact lenses. A child’s maturity and ability to handle contact lenses responsibly is more important than age alone. Physically, a child’s eyes can easily tolerate contact lenses and usually adapt well.

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