Sight tests for younger people

Opticians can look after the eyes of children, toddlers and even babies. Often, the sooner an eye problem is detected, the better. So, if you have any concerns about your child’s eyes, please call to make an appointment.
The NHS funds eye tests for children under 16, as well as those aged 16-18 in full-time education. They also get a voucher towards the cost of a pair of spectacles.
Things to look out for: • Screwing up or rubbing their eyes. • Problems with coordination such as catching or kicking a ball. • Sitting very close to the TV or holding books or phones very close to their face to read. • Refusal to read or difficulties concentrating. • Telling you that for them, text on a page doesn’t stay in a straight line but slopes. • Many long-term medications may have eye-related side effects, such as steroids, ADHD drugs, antibedwetting drugs, antihistamines, anti-depressants. • Headaches – although most headaches aren’t related to sight issues, some children may have an uncorrected refractive error or a binocular vision problem that causes headaches.