Children’s Eye Health

Hanson Opticians provide free NHS eye tests for all children under 16 (including free Fundus photography) and those under 19 and in full time education. If a child is found to need spectacles, a contribution is provided by the NHS.

At Hanson Opticians, we stock a wide range of spectacles specially designed for children with a variety of styles to suit all tastes, including a new line of themed frames featuring kids’ favourite Frozen, Star Wars, minions and Marvel characters as well as a designer range which includes children’s Raybans. Many have soft nose pads for extra comfort and sprung hinges to withstand extra wear and tear. Regular eye examinations are a vital part of your child’s healthcare and personal development, so don’t delay and contact Hanson Opticians for an appointment.

Amblyopia

Amblyopia (often called lazy eye) is a condition that impairs the eyes’ vision. It is caused by a lack of stimulation in the eye and can often be treated by glasses if the condition is spotted soon enough. The sooner it is spotted, the higher the chance of treatment being successful and the better your child’s long-term vision will be.

Strabismus

Similarly to Amblyopia, Strabismus (often called a squint) usually occurs in the early stages of childhood and affects the coordination of the eyes; where one eye points forward, the other could be pointing outward. The sooner it is treated, the greater the chance of recovery, so it is very important that you take your child to be tested if you notice any lack of coordination between the two eyes.

Colour ‘blindness’ Strabismus

Colour-blindness is a decreased ability to see colour and perceive finer details between differing colours. It is recommended that you have your child tested for colour blindness as it affects 1 in 12 men and 1 in 200 women. Although many can live with colour blindness and not realise it, many types of colour blindness can have an impact on a child’s development. It cannot be cured, however there are multiple ways of managing colour-blindness including colour-tinted spectacles.

Protecting your child’s eyes from the sun

Exposure to the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays can have detrimental effects on the eyes’ health, quickening the development of age-related eye disorders including cataracts and macular degeneration. However, children who spend more time outdoors have the benefit of being less likely to develop short-sightedness. Necessary precautions in protecting your child’s vision include 100% UV protected glasses and making sure they wear a hat with a sun visor.