As children grow, it’s natural for their eyesight to change. Sometimes, however, children may not be able to express when they’re facing challenges with their vision. Here are some signs that may indicate your child needs an eye test.
And don’t forget, if you’re looking for friendly and helpful opticians in Newark and Nottingham, our expert advisors can help. At London Eye Bespoke Eyewear, we’re proud to offer excellent children’s eye care services and stock fantastic frames through our sister brand, Avante Garde Optical.
Signs your child may need an eye test
Whether your child already wears glasses or has previously had no issues with their vision, it’s important to get an eye test on a regular basis to ensure they have the right support.
Have you noticed your child exhibiting any of the following behaviours?
1. Headaches
Poor eyesight or an incorrect prescription can mean the eyes have to work harder to see. Eye strain can cause headaches. If your child is experiencing consistent headaches around their eyes and temples, it’s a good idea to book an eye test.
2. Complaining of blurred vision
Has your child mentioned that things look blurry or out of focus? This could mean they require glasses. An eye test can help identify conditions such as astigmatism and myopia that can cause blurred vision.
3. Squinting
Perhaps your child hasn’t expressed any trouble with their vision. But if you’ve noticed they’re squinting to see the telly at home or their teacher has mentioned they’re squinting to see the board, this could be another sign of poor vision.
4. Sitting very close to the TV
Sitting very close to the telly could also indicate that your child is struggling to see from a distance. Struggling to see may also lead to them holding books or electronic devices close to their face, too.
5. Difficulties concentrating
Has your child been showing signs of reduced concentration? Unclear vision can sometimes cause distraction at school, and can sometimes even be mistaken for ADHD. Spotting poor eyesight early can help prevent your child’s performance at school from dropping too much.
6. Difficulties reading
As well as impacting your child’s concentration, poor eyesight may affect their reading ability. As your child progresses through school, the text they read tends to become smaller and contains more complex language, which can put strain on their eyes.
You may notice that your child muddles their words when reading aloud or re-reads the same line over and over. They might also skip lines, lose interest in reading altogether, or say that their eyes feel tired or painful after reading.
Book an eye test with London Eye Bespoke Eyewear
We recommend getting an eye test every one or two years to make sure that your eyes are as healthy as possible. Children under the age of 16 should have an eye test every year at a minimum and more regularly if advised by the optometrist.
Regular vision tests can reduce uncomfortable eye strain and headaches. Spotting the signs of changing eyesight early can limit the impact it has on your child’s education, too.
We’re here to support the whole family with our expertise. Whether you want to book an eye test for your child or yourself, we can provide consultations tailored to your needs.
Our experienced team members and state-of-the-art technology enable us to offer enhanced eye examinations that include an OCT scan to allow for the early detection of conditions such as glaucoma and retinal detachment. We also know how finding the perfect pair of frames can make all the difference. With our bespoke styling consultations, we’ll find you a pair of glasses that you adore wearing.
Why not get in touch today to book an eye test?