With kids heading back to school soon, Specsavers Waltham Cross is encouraging their customers to think about taking their children in-store for an eye test.

Why are children’s eye tests different?

Children’s eye tests are different from those for adults. The team use specially designed charts that allow children to recognise shapes or pictures, or even to match letters, rather than the traditional charts that you may be familiar with.

Why is it important for your child to visit an optometrist?

Most very young children have their eyesight assessed as part of their routine developmental checks. While these are very important, they aren’t as thorough as a complete eye test by a qualified optician.

Poor eyesight can cause learning and behavioural problems, which might be blamed on other things. This is especially true for young children, who may find it difficult to explain the difficulties they are having with their eyesight. They may not even be aware they have a problem at all.

And of course, the sooner that vision problems are detected, the better the outcome. Conditions such as squint and amblyopia (lazy eye) can be treated more effectively if they are picked up earlier. And that could make a huge difference to your child.

A word from the store director

Store director Tony Martin says:

‘We recommend that children have an eye test every two years from the age of three. The test is free with their NHS optical voucher, and if they need glasses the voucher will help with the cost of these too. So why not book a test before they head off to school and send your children off to school as best prepared as they can be.’

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