Child Eye Examination
Children almost never say their vision is poor. A child who has always seen blurrily has nothing to compare it to, and assumes everyone sees that way. That is why eye check-ups follow a schedule rather than waiting for a complaint.
Why children do not tell you
Adults notice when their vision changes, because they know what normal looked like. A child has no such comparison. They adapt, they manage, and they say nothing.
The conditions that matter most in childhood are also the quietest. Lazy eye in one eye causes no symptoms at all when the other eye works fine. These get found by checking, or they do not get found.
Newborn Check
Every newborn should have a simple light test before going home. It picks up cataract, glaucoma and tumours in the eye — things that need attention immediately.
- Red reflex check
- Pupil reaction
- ROP screening if premature
First Full Eye Test
By age one, your child should have a proper eye check. This is the best window to catch lazy eye and squint, while treatment works best.
- Check for early squint
- Dilating drops for real power
- Spot lazy eye risk early
Before Playschool
By three, most children can manage a picture-based vision test, so each eye can be measured on its own. Problems missed at this age can affect vision permanently.
- Vision test with pictures
- Squint check
- Glasses if needed
Before School Starts
A check before school matters. Blurred vision is easily mistaken for not paying attention or a learning problem — and a child who cannot see the board will rarely say so.
- Full vision and power test
- Colour vision check
- Both eyes working together
Why we use dilating drops
This is the main difference between a child's eye test and an adult's — and the main reason a power checked at an optical shop can be wrong for a child.
Children can focus far harder than adults. A long-sighted child can hide most of their real power just by straining during the test. The reading comes out near normal, the real power is missed, and so is the cause of their squint or lazy eye.
Dilating drops relax that focusing, showing the true power. Near vision stays blurred and the pupils stay large for several hours afterwards, with some sensitivity to light. It is inconvenient — and it is the only way to measure a child's eyes properly.
What happens during the test
We fit the test to what your child can do. A baby is checked by watching how they look at things; an older child uses pictures, matching shapes or letters.
- 1Questions firstBirth history, whether they were premature, their milestones, and any eye problems in the family. All of this changes what we look for.
- 2Vision testEach eye checked separately, using charts suited to their age. Checking both together will not reveal a problem in one.
- 3Squint checkCover tests and eye movement checks to find any squint and work out its type.
- 4Dilating dropsTo find the real glasses power. Near vision is blurred and pupils stay large for a few hours afterwards.
- 5Both eyes togetherTests of depth perception and how well the two eyes team up.
- 6Inside of the eyeThe retina and optic nerve examined directly.
Bring with you
- Any previous prescriptions and the current glasses
- A note of what you have noticed at home
Try to book around naps and feeds for younger children. It makes a real difference to how the visit goes.
Come sooner than the schedule if
Related
Lazy Eye (Amblyopia)
The silent problem these check-ups are designed to catch.
Read moreSquint / Strabismus
Checking and treating eyes that point different ways.
Read moreMyopia Control
What to do when the power keeps going up every year.
Read moreROP Screening
Time-critical eye screening for premature babies.
Read moreContact & Location
Sat: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM · Sun: Closed
Book Your Child's Eye Check-Up
Early detection saves sight. Whether it's a routine check-up or a specific concern, we're here to help.