At Scrivens Opticians, we put your child’s eyecare first in everything we do. Whether that’s helping to protect their vision, finding the frames that they love, or assessing and regularly monitoring their eyesight, our highly experienced team are here to help.
We offer friendly, professional help and advice, and a wide choice of glasses, specially designed for kids, so you can simply pop into your nearest branch and book your child a free NHS eye test.
As children grow, their eyes change and their vision is developing, so it is critical to identify and correct any visual defects early on. If not picked up during this time, there are common problems that can become permanent:
In order for us to have clear vision, light must pass through the cornea and lens (transparent structures at the front of the eye) and then meet at a point on the retina (a light sensitive tissue at the back of the eye).
If the eye is too short, the light focuses behind the retina and this is known as long-sightedness or hyperopia. This means the eye has to adjust and focus more than usual, in particular for close up tasks.
If the eye is too long, the light focuses in front of the retina and this is known as short-sightedness or myopia. This means that the eye struggles to see things further away such as a TV and whiteboard.
Myopia is on the rise and it is predicted that 50% of the world’s population will be myopic by 2050. You can learn more about myopia and ways it can be managed here.
If the eye is more curved in one direction than the other, this is known as astigmatism. This means the light rays focus in more than one place on the retina, therefore letters like ‘C’ can look like ‘O’ or ‘G’. Astigmatism can occur alongside long-sightedness or short-sightedness.
Myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism can easily be treated with glasses or contact lenses.
Amblyopia is more commonly known as lazy eye or squint and can be hereditary.
We usually recommend an eye test at the age of four or younger if there are any concerns or family history of amblyopia.
Some symptoms of lazy eye include:
Amblyopia can occur if one eye is more short or long-sighted compared to the other. Muscle weakness can also cause the eye to drift from the centre.
The critical period of eye development is before the age of eight, the sooner any vision correction is given the better the outcome.
1 in 12 males and 1 in 200 females are unable to see colours in the usual way.
This does not tend to affect individuals on a day-to-day basis, however it is essential to pick this up during the eye tests so that reasonable adjustments can be made if required.
Poor eyesight can lead to issues affecting children’s development, school performance, professional opportunities, and quality of life. Being able to detect any issues with sight at this crucial stage of development and education can also help to ensure your child doesn’t fall behind due to difficulty seeing the board, for example.
We would recommend that parents get their children’s eyes tested every two years. Eye tests for children are free of charge as are prescription glasses if required. Paul Sidhu, one of our Optometrists explains more about the importance of regular eye checks for children in the video below.
All children should have a full eye examination before they start primary school and be regularly checked throughout their school life. This is why the NHS offers all children under 16, or under 19, and in full-time education, free eye tests that you can book at your nearest branch of Scrivens Opticians.
Your child’s eye test will be carried out by one of our experienced optometrists, and any problems with their vision will be flagged during the test.
At Scrivens Opticians, you’ll find fun, fashionable, and affordable children’s frames, including popular designer brands and a selection of free NHS prescription glasses for kids. Some children are wary when it comes to wearing something that will change their appearance, and this can make finding a pair of glasses that they like a stressful experience for them – and for you! Our goal is to take the stress out of finding the perfect pair of kids’ glasses.
Our children’s frames are tough enough to withstand even the most adventurous playtimes. At Scrivens Opticians, you can now pick up a pair of kid’s glasses for free and get a second pair for just £15. Just pop into your nearest branch of Scrivens and speak to our experts.
If you have a young one who is about to have their very first eye test, why not download our Comic Strip. It’s a fun and simple way to explain to kids the process of going to the opticians for the first time.
Children under 16 or under 19 and in full-time education are entitled to an NHS voucher for help towards the cost of frames. At Scrivens you will find a wide range of free NHS prescription frames to find the one that suits your child best.
Children live an active life, whether running around in the playground or chasing after their friends, their favourite pair of specs may be at risk of damage. To give you peace of mind, it’s worth considering having a second pair of glasses for your child. For just £15, you can get a complete second pair, including frames and lenses.
With children now spending more time in front of TVs and computer screens, the constant glare can put added strain on their eyes. As a family owned business at Scrivens, we know that quality eyecare is vital to a healthy, happy childhood. That’s why we are offering half price anti-reflective coating for all under 16’s.
An anti-reflective coating is specifically designed to combat glare, and reduce eye strain. It will give a crisper, clearer view for your child, and you’ll also notice the difference just by looking at them.
It’s definitely a good idea to pick up a second pair of kids’ glasses, whether it’s to give your child an alternative look with a pair of designer frames, or simply to have a backup pair of glasses just in case. Visit your nearest branch to browse our wide range of designer frames for kids.
If your child is active and sporty, glasses can limit their freedom. Contact lenses are designed with adventure in mind, giving children the extra confidence they need to be able to give their all to the activities they love. We also provide specific contact lenses to help manage childhood short-sightedness (myopia).
We offer a free contact lens trial to children so that they can try wearing contact lenses for a while and see how they feel before you decide whether to buy them or not. If your child prefers to wear contact lenses, you can now sign-up to Lensplan and save 15% off our hassle-free direct debit, delivery service.
Book a free contact lens trial
