Children’s Eyecare

We believe all children deserve to see clearly. Unfortunately, according to statistics, up to a million children in the UK will return to school with an undiagnosed vision problem. Undetected eye problems can impede learning and interfere with development, in both the classroom and on the playground. That’s why we’re committed to making sure every child’s vision and eye health are the best they can be.

Your child’s eye test 

We provide eye tests for children as young as 3 years old. However, if you have reason to believe your child is struggling to see, bring them in as soon as possible, no matter their age. The quicker a problem is identified, the quicker it can be managed. 

Regular eye exams are recommended for those under 16 at least once a year. For children under 16 and those aged 18 and under who are in full-time education, NHS eye exams are free.

Children’s eye tests are 30 minutes long. During their appointment, our caring optometrists will help your child feel as comfortable as possible. We have a variety of tests to detect vision problems, according to your child’s age and capabilities. For example, we can use pictures instead of word charts.

Common signs of eye problems 

Many children don’t realise they have vision problems because they assume that what they see is ‘normal’. Some signs of vision problems to look out for are:

• Frequent headaches
• Avoiding reading, writing and drawing
• Rubbing their eyes or blinking a lot
• Holding reading material close to their face
• Trouble concentrating at school
• Behavioural problems at school
• Trouble catching a ball
• Squinting when reading or watching television

Frames and contact lenses

We carry a range of stylish and durable children’s frames to match your child’s active lifestyle, including Ray-Ban Jr, Nike Kids, ECO Kids, and Cebe. We also carry specialised frames that are made specifically for children. These include Polaroid ‘clip-on’ Kids (sun eyewear), Flexon Kids, Lindberg Kids and Bolle. Soon, we’ll also stock specialist Miyosmart lenses to help manage short-sightedness in children. We provide contact lens fittings for children over 8 years.

Book an appointment

Get in touch to book an appointment for your child’s eye test so that they can enjoy better vision today.