It isn’t always easy to tell when a child is having difficulty with their eyesight. Unlike adults, children may not realise that their vision isn’t as clear as it should be. To them, the way they see the world is simply normal.
However, changes in your child’s behaviour, reading habits or performance at school can sometimes indicate that their vision needs checking. If an eye examination shows that glasses are needed, the right children’s glasses can help them see more clearly and comfortably at school, at home and while enjoying their favourite activities.
So, what should parents look out for? Here are some of the common signs that it may be time to arrange an eye examination.
- Sitting Too Close to the Television or Screen
Does your child regularly move closer to the television to see what’s happening? Perhaps they hold a tablet or other screen particularly close to their face.
This can sometimes be a sign of short-sightedness, also known as myopia. Children with myopia can usually see objects close to them clearly but may struggle with things further away.
You might also notice your child finding it difficult to read the board at school or recognise people and objects at a distance.
- Holding Books Very Close When Reading
Pay attention to how your child positions books, homework or other reading material.
Occasionally holding something close isn’t necessarily a concern, but consistently bringing books unusually close to their face may indicate that they’re having difficulty seeing clearly.
An eye examination can establish whether there is an underlying vision problem and whether children’s glasses could help.
- Squinting to See Clearly
Squinting temporarily changes how light enters the eye and can sometimes make an unclear image appear sharper.
If you regularly notice your child narrowing their eyes when watching television, reading signs or looking at something in the distance, it may be worth arranging an eye test.
Children can develop this habit without even realising they’re doing it.
- Frequent Headaches or Tired Eyes
Headaches can have many causes, but recurring headaches after school, reading or close-up work can sometimes be associated with visual strain.
Your child might describe their eyes as feeling tired or uncomfortable, or they may simply lose interest in activities that require sustained concentration.
If this happens regularly, an eye examination can help determine whether their eyesight could be contributing to the problem.
- Rubbing Their Eyes Frequently
Most children rub their eyes occasionally when they’re tired. However, frequent eye rubbing during reading, homework or screen use may be worth paying attention to.
It could indicate tired or uncomfortable eyes, although there are many possible causes.
If you’re concerned, your optometrist can assess your child’s vision and eye health and advise you on the appropriate next steps.
- Difficulty Reading or Losing Their Place
Vision problems don’t always present themselves as simply “not being able to see”.
You may notice your child:
- Losing their place while reading
- Using their finger to follow words
- Avoiding reading where possible
- Struggling to concentrate on close-up tasks
- Holding reading material particularly close
- Becoming tired or frustrated when doing homework
These behaviours don’t necessarily mean that your child needs glasses, but they’re worth discussing with an optometrist.
- Struggling to See the Board at School
Sometimes teachers are the first people to notice that a child may have a vision problem.
Your child may ask to move closer to the front of the classroom, copy information incorrectly from the board or rely on classmates to see what’s been written.
Because good vision plays such an important part in learning, it’s worth arranging an eye examination if either you or your child’s teacher notices these difficulties.
- One Eye Turning Inwards or Outwards
If you notice that one of your child’s eyes appears to turn in a different direction, this should be assessed.
A squint, also known as strabismus, is where the eyes point in different directions. It can be present all the time or appear intermittently.
Early assessment is particularly important because children’s vision continues to develop during their early years
Can Children Have an Eye Test if They Can’t Read Yet?
Yes. Children don’t need to be able to read letters – or even speak – to have their eyesight assessed.
Optometrists can use a range of age-appropriate techniques, including pictures, symbols and other visual tests, to assess a child’s eyesight.
This means there’s no reason to wait until your child can read before arranging an appointment if you have concerns about their vision.
What Happens if My Child Needs Glasses?
If your child’s eye examination shows that they need glasses, we’ll provide a prescription and help you choose suitable frames and lenses.
Finding the right children’s glasses isn’t just about their prescription. Children need frames that fit correctly, feel comfortable and are suitable for everyday life.
The right fit is particularly important. Glasses that constantly slip down the nose or feel uncomfortable are much less likely to be worn consistently.
At Bill Opticians, our team can help your child find frames that are comfortable, practical and, importantly, that they actually enjoy wearing.
Giving your child some involvement in choosing their frames can also help them feel more confident and positive about wearing their new glasses.
Are Children’s Glasses Available Through the NHS?
If your child needs glasses, they may be entitled to an NHS optical voucher to help towards the cost.
Children under 16 are eligible for NHS optical vouchers, as are young people aged 16, 17 or 18 who are in full-time education, provided the relevant eligibility requirements are met.
The amount of support available depends on the prescription and lenses required. If the glasses cost more than the value of the voucher, you’ll normally need to pay the difference.
Our team can explain the options available to you and help you understand your child’s entitlement.
What if My Child Breaks or Loses Their Glasses?
It’s an understandable concern – children’s glasses have to cope with school, sports, play and everything else that comes with everyday family life.
Children under 16 may be entitled to an NHS optical repair or replacement voucher to help towards the cost of repairing or replacing glasses that have been lost or damaged.
Our team can advise you on the options available if something happens to your child’s glasses.
Does My Child Need an Eye Test Even if There Are No Signs of a Problem?
Yes. Children don’t always recognise that they aren’t seeing clearly, and there may be no obvious signs for parents to spot.
Regular eye examinations provide an opportunity to check your child’s vision and eye health as they grow.
They’re particularly important if you have concerns about your child’s eyesight or there’s a family history of childhood eye conditions such as a squint, lazy eye or short-sightedness.
Choosing Children’s Glasses at Bill Opticians
At Bill Opticians, we understand that choosing a child’s first pair of glasses can feel like a big moment for both children and parents.
Our aim is to make the experience relaxed and positive.
We’ll help you choose children’s glasses that provide the vision correction your child needs while fitting comfortably and suiting their personality. And as your child grows, regular eye examinations allow us to monitor their eyesight and make sure their prescription continues to meet their needs
If you’ve noticed any changes in your child’s vision or simply feel it’s time for a check-up, our experienced team is here to help.
Book a children’s eye test at your nearest Bill Opticians practice and let us help your child see clearly and confidently.
