CHILDREN'S EYECARE

Healthy eyes, together with good distance and near vision, are crucial to every child’s wellbeing and education. Although many children will receive a basic ‘vision check’ at some point during their primary school years, this is not a substitute for a thorough eye examination.

 

It has been estimated that as many as one in five children may have an undetected eye problem. Some potential warning signs to look out for are:

1. Holding books very close up.
2. Sitting very close to the television.
3. Difficulty with reading at school or avoiding close work.
4. Excessive blinking.
5. Rubbing eyes frequently.
6. Red eyes or lids

In particular, it is important to exclude the presence of a ‘squint’ (Also known as a strabismus). When a child with a strabismus attempts to fix their vision on a particular object one of the eyes fails to point at the same object. The deviating eye may point upwards, inwards or outwards. However this condition can often be successfully rectified at the earlier stages of a child’s development. Early detection of strabismus is therefore essential.

A quick and simple test will also establish whether a child’s colour vision is functioning correctly. This can be important for future choice of career.

                              

Children are very welcome at Andrew King Optician and the practice is well equipped with children’s toys and books. After school appointments are readily available.

Of course, adults will be with their child throughout the eye examination. 

The NHS in Scotland provides free eye examinations for children. Typically children should have their eyes examined just before beginning primary school. Or earlier if there is a suspected eye problem.

In order to take part in an eye examination, it is not essential that a youngster is able to read down a letter chart.

Should your child need glasses, they are entitled to an NHS spectacle voucher that enables them to choose a free pair of glasses from our wide range of spectacle frames, all of which are specially designed for children’s faces.

We have the specs children want to wear! The Whizz Kids and GR8Kids ranges are crammed full of fun, funky styles. Built to last, designed to please, the frames come in both metal and plastic with a choice of playful patterns including stripes, hearts, pastels and more! 

Many spectacle frames have soft nose pads to provide more comfort and have sprung hinges on the sides to provide additional strength. Just like our frames for adults the children’s collection is very fashionable.  The spectacle lenses are made from plastic which is safer and lighter than glass.

The practice is also delighted to dispense Children’s spectacle prescriptions from the Hospital Eye Service.

 

To arrange a sight test appointment for your child, simply phone our appointment freephone number:   0800 055 6779.