Children

LOOKING AFTER YOUR CHILD’S EYES

As parents, we all want the best for our children, but did you know that 1 in 5 children have an undiagnosed eye problem which could affect their sight? Around 80% of a child’s learning occurs visually, yet many children do not see well enough to reach their full potential. Poor vision can have a profound effect on a child’s ability to learn and even on their behaviour,  but it often goes unrecognised by parents, teachers and even the child themselves.

It can be difficult to pick up on symptoms of poor vision but typical signs are:

Children's Eyecare

·         Excessive blinking

·         Squinting

·         Headaches

·         Holding books very close or sitting very close to the TV

·         Poor performance at school

·         Clumsiness

The sooner an eye problem is picked up the better the outcome. Many common childhood conditions such as squints and lazy eyes can be treated if found early. The eye and visual system are still actively developing until a child is 6 or 7 years old so you can see that early treatment can make a difference that lasts a lifetime. Some eye conditions run in families so if you have a family history of eye problems it’s even more important to have your child’s eyes checked.

So, what should we all be doing? Make an appointment to see your Optometrist (Optician). All of our Optometrists at John Harwood are qualified to check children’s eyes and all children under 16  are entitled to a free eye examination, funded by the NHS. If your child needs glasses, the NHS helps with the cost. Young children don’t even need to be able to read or know their letters as the tests can be done using pictures. Our Opticians have a variety of equipment and a vast amount of experience in testing children’s eyes.

If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact one of our team.