When Should A Child Have an Eye Test?
Why Is An Eye Test Important?
Children’s eye tests are vital health checks. Regular ocular checkups for children are essential. Optometrists are able to check the eye’s of children, toddlers and even babies. Even if the parent has no real concerns regarding their child’s vision, they should have a routine eye test well before they start school. Some eye conditions can be treated more effectively if they are discovered before the age of three years.
It is generally recommended that children undergo an eye examination at birth, six months, three years, and again prior to beginning school. The early identification of any potential vision issues that may cause or exacerbate developmental delays or educational obstacles will be aided by these eye exams.
A comprehensive kid’s eye exam will help to check the visual acuity, health of the eyes, eye muscle function and proper eye function. A refractive test should also be done to determine whether your child’s eye needs correction.
Children who are too young to fully comprehend what they are going through may not always know how to talk about their visual issues. Even in cases where your child is unable to communicate their symptoms, an optometrist can make diagnoses and provide treatments.
Kids’ vision can change rapidly, so it’s critical to identify problems early to stop them from getting worse. It is recommended by optometrists that school-age children receive an annual eye examination, with the first examination occurring as early as six months of age.
Glasses, Contact Lenses & Other Treatments
In the event that the eye doctor concludes that your child has a visual impairment, they may go over various treatment choices with you, including vision therapy, glasses, or contact lenses, depending on the severity of the condition and the expertise of the physician. It’s critical to diagnose any eye and vision problems as soon as possible since some conditions are significantly easier to treat when discovered early in the development of the eyes.
NHS Eye Examinations
For all children under the age of eighteen, the NHS offers free eye examinations. Every year, if your child is under 15 years old, they will undergo an eye examination. Your youngster will undergo an eye test every two years if they are between the ages of 16 and 18. A free eye test is no longer offered by the NHS to those above the age of 18, unless the student is still in full time education