Protecting the Eyes from an Early Age
Being able to see clearly is important for your child's development. Accurately interpreting the world around them, making new observations and having exciting learning experiences are vital to your child's education. When children are in their first few years, they experience developmental checks regularly to ensure that their eyes are not dramatically affected. Although thorough, those who carry out these checks are not qualified Optometrists – it is recommended that your child has a full eye test by a qualified Optometrist at around 3 years of age.
The sooner eye conditions are treated, the easier they are to treat and the better quality of life the child will have as they move into adulthood.
Children's Eye Tests
The health of your child's eyes is important to us too. Ensuring that your child gets regular eye examinations is important in detecting detrimental eye conditions early.
Symptoms to Look Out For
If your child does any of the following, we recommend you book an appointment for a child's eye test as soon as conveniently possible.
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Straining eyes
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Tilting head to get a better visual
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Rubbing of the eyes
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Looking closely at the television or a book
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Not keeping up in regards to education at school
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Closing one eye to read
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Avoiding activities that requires strenuous visual activity
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Headaches
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Tired eyes
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If one or both eyes appear to move in different or opposite directions
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If your child complains of pain or discomfort when watching television or looking at a phone or tablet
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If there's a white glow in your child's eyes when a photograph is taken. This looks similar to when you take a photograph and the pupils are red, but the glow is white. Whilst this may be a harmless effect of the flash, it can also be a sign of a rare form of eye cancer that affects babies and young children, predominantly under the age of 6. This is extremely rare and only effects approximately 50 children in the UK.
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Delayed reading ability
Myopia Control
Myopia, also known as short-sightedness, is a common eye condition where distant objects appear blurry, while close-up objects remain clear. This occurs when the eye's shape causes light to focus in front of the retina instead of directly on it.
Common signs of myopia include:
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Difficulty seeing distant objects clearly (e.g., road signs or a classroom board)
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Squinting to see better
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Eye strain or headaches, especially after focusing on distant objects
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Needing to sit closer to the television or front of the classroom
Myopia often begins in childhood and can progress as the child grows. Early detection is crucial, as uncorrected myopia can affect academic performance and social development. Regular eye examinations are essential, especially if there's a family history of the condition
Colorimetry
Mincher-Lockett Opticians in Gnosall offers a comprehensive colorimetry assessment service designed to help individuals experiencing visual stress—a condition that can cause discomfort and difficulty when reading.
What’s Included in the Assessment
1. Full Eye Examination
The process begins with a thorough eye test to rule out any underlying visual issues.
2. Coloured Overlay Assessment
If visual stress is suspected, a coloured overlay assessment is conducted. This involves testing various coloured filters to determine which one best improves reading comfort and speed.
3. Trial Period with Overlays
Patients may be given a trial period to use the selected coloured overlay in daily reading activities to assess its effectiveness.
4. Precision-Tinted Spectacle Lenses
If the overlays prove beneficial, precision-tinted lenses can be custom-made. These lenses are dyed to a high degree of accuracy and can be fitted into your chosen frames with the assistance of their experienced dispensing team.
5. Ongoing Support
The team provides continued support to monitor progress and make any necessary adjustments to the lenses or overlays.
This service is particularly beneficial for individuals with dyslexia or those who struggle with reading, offering a tailored solution to enhance visual comfort and reading efficiency.
How Children's Eye Tests are Performed
Children's eye tests differ from adult eye tests in a number of ways. Here at Mincher-Lockett, we like to make sure that they're as engaging as possible for your child by using a range of techniques that we've developed over 40 years of experience.
And, of course, you'll be able to stay with your child throughout the eye examination.