Why is having an eye test for children important?

Children are constantly learning and growing, with as much as 80% of their development happening through visual experiences. It’s important their vision is the best it can be to give them the greatest opportunity to learn and explore. Sometimes, vision issues in children can go unnoticed because they may not realise something is wrong or can’t express it to their parents. This is why an eye test for children is essential.

Common childhood vision problems

Did you know that 1.6 million school-aged children are estimated to be living with an undetected vision problem?

Let’s take a closer look at some of the common eye conditions and vision problems children can be affected by:

• Hyperopia, or long-sightedness is caused when the shape of the eye makes the light focus on behind the retina. Nearby objects will look blurry, but distance vision is clear.
• Myopia, or short-sightedness occurs when the eyeball is too long from the front to the back, causing light to be focused in front of the retina resulting in far objects appearing blurred.
• Amblyopia, or lazy eye refers to the reduction of vision in one eye due to abnormal visual development during early life. This condition arises from a breakdown in the coordination between the brain and the affected eye, resulting in the brain’s inability to recognise visual input from that eye.
• Strabismus, eye turn or squint, is a condition where the eyes point in different directions, which is prevalent among young children. It occurs due to issues with the eye muscles, the nerves that relay information to the muscles, or an inability of the brain to control eye movements.

Childhood eye problems can often be resolved easily with children’s glasses or contact lenses for children. However, some of these eye problems can grow worse if they are left untreated, which can lead to complications in later life. Compromised vision can affect a child’s development and create difficulties in school, so it’s important to ensure any problems are diagnosed and treated as soon as possible.

What age should children have an eye test?

Although children undergo development checks and school eye screenings at a young age, it’s important to note that these are not full eye exams. That’s why we highly recommend bringing your child to us for a thorough eye test. Around the age of three is an ideal time to schedule their first eye exam. However, if you have any concerns at a younger age, feel free to book an appointment.

At our children’s eye exam, we go beyond checking their vision by thoroughly examining the health of their eyes. For the little ones who haven’t started reading, we utilise pictures to assess their vision. This comprehensive assessment includes a colour vision test, evaluation of eye coordination, examination of eye muscles, and a general health check-up for their precious eyes. Our experienced team ensures your child is comfortable and happy during the appointment, giving them all the time they need, as we understand eye examinations can be overwhelming for children.

Vision correction for children

After your child’s eye exam, if their vision needs correcting, one of our team will talk you through the options and help you and your child decide what works best for their personality and lifestyle. We offer a fantastic selection of glasses specifically designed for children, including a wide range of customised frames to ensure a perfect fit. By ensuring that the glasses fit correctly, we can optimise your child’s visual experience while increasing the likelihood of them wearing their glasses. Additionally, we have found that kids aged eight and older tend to do well with contact lenses, especially those who are active in sports. Our experienced optometrists can guide you in selecting the most suitable contact lenses for your child from our varied range of options.

Book a kids’ eye exam today

Now you know why eye tests are so important for children, contact us to book your child in to visit our opticians in New Ross. We’ll make sure they are well looked after and that their vision is the best it can be.