Ask the Optician

Answer:

For most people, it’s advisable to have an eye test every two years, but it’s best to attend earlier if any eye problems occur or if advised by your optometrist.

Answer:

Yes. A comprehensive sight test includes checking the health of the inner and outer parts of the eye, so even if you’re happy with your vision it’s worth having a regular check-up. Eyes can be affected by a number of conditions which may be picked up early through a sight test, giving it less chance of affecting your vision. You should have an eye examination every two years or more regularly if advised by your optometrist.

Answer:

Note any changes you might’ve seen since your last test and think of any questions you might have for your optician. Remember to bring your current glasses or contact lenses and note the names of any prescription drugs or medication you might be taking.

Answer:

Yes. Contact lens check-ups are designed to check the condition of the front surface of the eye that’s in contact with the lens, and to check the quality of your vision with your lenses in. A contact lens check-up doesn’t measure the health of the inner and outer parts of your eye, so it’s important to go for an eye test as well. The back of your eyes can be affected by a number of eye conditions and though they’re uncommon, they might be picked up much earlier through a sight test rather than waiting for symptoms to occur.

Answer:

Though a baby’s eye movements show that they collect visual information right from birth, they’re unable to focus much further than 30cms in their early days. After around a month they can look at the boundaries of close objects, and a month later see finer detail on those objects. There are still many questions about how much and how far infants can see, but what’s clear is that the development of the eyes doesn’t finish developing until the child is several years old. So regular checkups with your optician are a vital part of protecting your children’s health.

Answer:

There is no pre determined age. We suggest from the age of 2 to have your childs eyes tested. We are more than happy to see any one younger if you have any concerns.

Answer:

There are tests that can be used on infants and preschool children who cannot read. If you have any concerns about your child’s vision, you find a local optician who will test their vision. However, if you have no concerns it’s perhaps better to wait until your child is a little older – say around three and a half years – before taking them for a full eye examination. Even if your child’s vision seems good, it’s worth taking them for a full sight test at a qualified optician when they reach school age, just to make sure that there aren’t any issues with their vision that are likely to affect their early school years.

Answer:

Children develop full vision in each eye over the course of their first year. Young babies can’t see beyond a few feet and there’s nothing to worry about if they can’t recognise your face from a distance for their first three or four months. Watery eyes are also common in young babies as the ducts that carry the tears away from the surface of their eyes are not fully open for the first few months. If this problem doesn’t clear up by your child’s first birthday, it’s best to get it checked out with your GP. More serious eye problems that need advice from your optician or GP include persistent or recurring eye infections, or if your notice your baby’s eyes do not move together perfectly, e.g. when looking at an object straight ahead one eye is pointed slightly outward (squint). When your child is three or four, if they have difficulty recognising shapes, colours or showing no interest in pictures in storybooks, your opticians should have the necessary tests to conduct a full eye examination. Your child doesn’t have to be able to read to have their sight tested.

Answer:

No. Opticians have tests that can be used with infants and preschool children who cannot read. If you have any concerns about your child’s vision you should find a local optician who will test their vision, even if they are very young. If you’ve got no urgent concerns, it might be better to wait until your child is a little older – say around three and a half years old – before taking them for their first full eye examination. Even if your child’s vision seems good, it’s worth taking them for a full sight test when they reach school age, just to make sure there aren’t any issues with their vision that could affect their early school years.