When Should My Child Have an Eye Examination?

The health of your child is important, and their vision should be no exception. From school age is the usual recommendation for when children should have their first eye examination, although they can be seen earlier if recommended to or for peace of mind. An eye examination is performed to check the health of your child’s eye as well as their prescription.

You may have noticed your child struggling to see in the distance, squinting or finding it difficult to concentrate – these are signs your child may have myopia. It is estimated that by 2050, half the global population could be affected by myopia, due to lifestyle changes such as an increase in near-work activities and digital device use and less time spent outdoors. A yearly eye examination will help with early diagnosis of myopia, resulting in slowing down its progression, preserving your child’s vision and eye health for the future.

If your child does have myopia, there are several products available that can provide clear vision and manage the progression of the condition. These include the MiYOSMART spectacle lenses and MiSight 1 day contact lenses which have been designed using unique technology that is proven to slow the progression of myopia by up to 60%!

Children up to the age of 16 are entitled to an NHS eye examination once per year, unless the Optometrist advises otherwise. Regular eye examinations help monitor changes in eye health and the prescription, providing our Optometrists with valuable data about your child’s eyes.

Contact your local MKO today for more information about myopia, or to book an appointment.