Good vision is absolutely essential for a child's development, so regular eye tests with a qualified ophthalmic optician are a must. For children under 16, an eye test at Chapple Opticians is completely FREE*.
If your child does need glasses, we have a fantastic range of frames for children, many of which are FREE*. To view a selection of our children’s eyewear ranges, please click here.
Below, we've responded to some of the most frequently asked questions regarding children's eye health, which we hope you find useful. If you have any questions not answered here, please don't hesitate to contact us.
How old does my child need to be before they can have an eye test?
Children can be tested at any age. A child’s first eye check is usually a post-natal check at 1 year. It is recommended that an optometrist sees them before they start school and learning to read. This will pick up any problems that may lead to poor development at school. - vision problems can often cause a child to under perform because, for example, they cannot see the board. Children’s eyes are fully developed by the time they are 8 years old, so it is very important that any problems are detected before this. The earlier a problem is detected, the more chance there is of successful treatment.
How much does a children’s eye test cost?
All children under 16 qualify for an NHS voucher, which entitles them to a free eye test.
For more information about NHS entitlement, please click here.
How much do children’s glasses cost?
Children under 16, who need glasses, qualify for an NHS voucher that enables them to choose free frames from a selected range. Alternatively, for an additional charge, they can choose a frame from our other children’s ranges.
For more information about NHS entitlement, please click here.
Are there any signs of poor eyesight in children?
Some of the signs to look out for are:
- Sitting too close to the television
- Holding a book too close to their face when reading
- Difficulty identifying colours
- Looking cross-eyed
- Excessive blinking
- Squinting or screwing up their eyes to look at something
- Clumsiness
- Headaches
- Watery eyes
If you have any concerns about your child’s eyesight, bring them in for an eye test. If detected early enough, we can ensure that any vision problems have minimal impact on your child’s life.
*With a valid NHS optical voucher.