1. Children’s eye care
A guide for parents and carers

2. Association of British Dispensing Opticians
Children’s eye care
Pre-school vision screening
NHS entitlement
Squints and lazy eye Wearing glasses
When not wearing glasses is harmful Learning difficulties
Long-term problems
Association of British Dispensing Opticians

3. Development, screening and routine reviews
School health service
offers advice and support throughout your child’s school years
can help if you have concerns about your child’s health or development that may affect their education.
supports school staff in meeting children’s health needs in school
Eyesight and hearing tests are usually offered during the first year at school as well as a general health assessment, including height and weight.
If you have any concerns, discuss these with the school nurse
Association of British Dispensing Opticians

4. NHS eye care entitlement
GOS sight test
Over 60
Over 40 with family history of glaucoma
Glaucoma
Diabetes
Exemption HC2
Complex lenses
GOS test and voucher
Under 16
Under 19 in full-time education
Income support
Some tax credits
Some pension credit
Association of British Dispensing Opticians

5. Association of British Dispensing Opticians
Squint
Strabismus
Association of British Dispensing Opticians

6. Association of British Dispensing Opticians
Lazy eye
Amblyopia
Association of British Dispensing Opticians

7. Association of British Dispensing Opticians
Long sight
Hypermetropia
Association of British Dispensing Opticians

8. Association of British Dispensing Opticians
Short sight
Myopia
Association of British Dispensing Opticians

9. Association of British Dispensing Opticians
Astigmatism
Association of British Dispensing Opticians

10. Association of British Dispensing Opticians
Wearing glasses
Children must be dispensed by, or under the direct supervision of, a registered dispensing optician or optometrist
Wear specs as advised
Glasses must fit well. Does your child look over the top of their specs?
Go back for regular checks on the fit
Choose an optician that always has someone available for adjustments and minor repairs
Association of British Dispensing Opticians

11. When not wearing specs is harmful
Children at risk of Amblyopia (lazy eye)
Squint (strabismus)
Anisometropia (different strength lenses)
Astigmatism
Long sightedness (hypermetropia)
Myopia (short sighted)
Withdrawal from long distance activities
Association of British Dispensing Opticians

12. Association of British Dispensing Opticians
Long-term effects
Children who can’t see may experience:
Poor attention span / disruptive behaviour
Learning difficulties – could be labelled ADHD or dyslexic
Poor educational achievement
Poor hand-eye coordination
Difficulty with / withdrawal from sport
70% of young offenders have uncorrected refractive error
Lazy eye (amblyopia)
Permanently dull vision in one eye
Limits career choices (pilot, train driver, taxi, PSV, HGV… )
Association of British Dispensing Opticians

13. Can kids wear contact lenses?
Yes - from any age
Choose a paediatric contact lens specialist
Child must be able to comply with the directions of the optician (with parental help if necessary)
Disposable lenses are best
Dailies are ideal for part-time wear
Frequent prescription change easily accommodated at no extra cost
Pay by direct debit including check ups (no NHS checks for lenses)
Association of British Dispensing Opticians

14. Common childhood eye problems
Conjunctivitis
Foreign body
Eye injury
Blepharitis
Allergic reaction
Association of British Dispensing Opticians

15. Association of British Dispensing Opticians
Over to you!
Do you have any questions?
Association of British Dispensing Opticians

16. Thank you for your attention
Association of British Dispensing Opticians