The Summer Holidays are nearly here....

......well they are for the kids. With 6 weeks off and lots of time to keep them occupied why not book an eye examination to fill a little bit of time and  provide an essential health check?

Most children have excellent sight and do not need to wear glasses. However, the earlier any problems are picked up, the better the outcome. If there are problems and they are not picked up at an early age, the child may have permanently reduced vision in one or both eyes. If you have any concerns about your child’s eyes, or if there is a history of squint or lazy eye in the family, simply call us on 01268 544646 to book a sight test. This is free under the NHS for children under 16.

Many parent believe an eye examination is not possible until the child can speak and read. This is not true. Your child does not have to be able to read or talk to have a sight test as most tests can be carried out without any input at all.

About 2% to 3% of all children have a lazy eye, clinically known as ‘amblyopia’. This may because they have one eye that is much more short- or long-sighted than the other, or they may have a squint  (where the eyes are not looking in the same direction).

The sooner the child is treated, the more likely they are to have good vision. It is more difficult to treat lazy eye if the eyesight has finished developing (usually around eight years of age), although it may still be possible to significantly improve the vision.

Don’t expect your child to tell you if there is a problem. Children assume that the way they see is normal – they will not have known anything different.

Be aware that children with learning difficulties are ten times more likely to have problems with their vision, and carers and parents may find it harder to spot difficulties.

The treatment will depend on what is causing the lazy eye:

• If it is simply because the child needs glasses, the optometrist will prescribe these to correct sight problems.
• If the child has a squint, this may be fully or partially corrected with glasses. However, some children may need an operation to straighten the eyes, which can take place as early as a few months of age.
• If the child has a lazy eye, eye drops or patching the good eye can help to encourage them to use the lazy eye to make is see better.

Whether a child needs glasses or not is because of the shape and size of their eyes. Wearing glasses will not change their eye shape, and will not make your child’s eyes worse. If your child has a lazy eye, wearing glasses may make their sight permanently improve. Your optometrist will tell you how often and when your child should wear their glasses.

So book your children an eye examination today on 01268 544646 and make it a Summertime Activity!!