New term, new pencil case, new shoes – and somewhere on that back-to-school list, one important task parents can easily forget: booking their kid’s eye test.
At Scrivens Opticians & Hearing Care, we have more than 85 years of experience helping families look after their eye health. Every year, we see the same pattern: as the summer holidays draw to a close, an eye test for children is often one of the last things on parents’ minds.
Here are our top tips to help your child enjoy a confident and comfortable start to the new school year.
It can be easy to overlook, but a child eye test could be one of the most useful things on your back-to-school checklist.
Childhood myopia, also known as short-sightedness, is on the rise¹. It is estimated that as many as 1.6 million school-aged children in England could be living with an undiagnosed vision problem, which may quietly affect how well they learn and concentrate in class².
The earlier a vision problem is identified, the more effectively it can often be managed. This is why regular eye tests throughout childhood are so important.
Our own research found that when parents rank their back-to-school priorities, an eye test comes last, behind even booking a haircut³.
This may be because some parents do not realise that NHS eye tests are free for children under 16, as well as for young people under 19 who are in full-time education.
A free eye test for children can provide reassurance before the school term begins. Children who need glasses may also be eligible for help towards the cost through an NHS optical voucher.
You do not need to wait until your child’s next routine appointment to notice that something may be wrong.
Signs that your child could benefit from a kids eye test include:
If any of these signs sound familiar, consider booking an appointment before the new term rather than waiting to see whether the problem resolves on its own.
Myopia in children causes distant objects to appear blurred wile nearby objects remain clearer. A child with myopia may struggle to read the board at school, recognise people from a distance or clearly follow activities in the classroom.
Children may not always realise that their vision is different from anyone else’s, which means they might not tell you they are having difficulty seeing.
A regular eye test can help identify myopia and other vision problems, even when your child has not noticed any symptoms themselves.
For children who have never had an eye test before, the experience may feel unfamiliar. You can help ease any nerves by explaining what will happen before the appointment.
We have created a fun animated comic strip that guides children through a typical eye test for children, step by step. It can help them understand what to expect and feel more confident when they walk through the door.
You can view it at [scrivens.com/backtoschool].
The best time to arrange a child eye test is not necessarily when a problem is already affecting schoolwork. Booking before term starts means it can become part of the same back-to-school routine as buying new uniforms and stationery.
A test that finds no vision problems can provide welcome reassurance. One that identifies an issue early could make a real difference to how comfortably and confidently your child settles into the new school year.
Whatever the time of year, there is never a wrong time to book a kids eye test.
If your child has never had an eye test, or you have noticed a change in their vision or behaviour, your local Scrivens branch is here to help.
Book an appointment with your nearest Scrivens branch today.
You may also be interested in reading our guide to choosing glasses for your face shape.
