- Recognise signs of children struggling with visual tasks
- Be sure to share any family history of eye problems with your eye specialist
Good vision is vital to children’s development and social interaction. If children are struggling with undetected eye problems, their comprehension and social development could be affected.
Eye tests
It is important to have your child’s vision checked at the age of 4-5 (free NHS sight tests are available at opticians for children under 16). In addition, look out for signs of a possible eye problem, for instance; complaining of headaches or eye-strain, poor hand-eye coordination, problems reading, or sitting too close to the TV.
Safety
Protect younger children’s eyes by ensuring that toys are age-appropriate and do not have sharp points or edges.
Family eye health history
Eye diseases can be hereditary, and can therefore affect children, so investigate your family’s eye health background. Let your eyecare specialist know of any vision problems you are aware of, especially if there is a history of childhood eye problems such as a squint or lazy eye.
Experts in children’s eyecare
At Moorfields Private, our team of consultant paediatric ophthalmologists offer appointments for common eye problems affecting children, including Lazy Eye (Amblyopia), squints (Strabismus), and Watery Eye (Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction).
To make an appointment with a consultant paediatric ophthalmologist, call our New Patient Enquiry team on 
