Why is a Children’s Eye Test Essential?

As a parent, decisions to support your child’s well-being can feel endless. That said, vision is often an area overlooked when it comes to their health. Since around 80% of what children learn is visual, good sight is vital to their development, whether through reading, playing, or exploring. And since children may not realise their vision is off, regular eye checks are important.

We’re here to guide you through why eye health matters, how to spot potential issues and why we recommend a yearly children’s eye test.

The role of vision in development

Two young children playing with a wooden toy on the floor.]

Seeing clearly shapes how children learn, play, and experience the world around them.

Undetected vision problems can cause difficulty concentrating, poor school performance and frustration — sometimes mistaken for behavioural issues.

Regular eye exams help spot concerns early, ensuring children receive support that benefits both their immediate well-being and long-term growth.

Understanding common visual problems

A close-up of a child wearing a pair of glasses.]

Some of the more frequent issues seen in children include myopia (being short-sighted), hyperopia (long-sightedness), and astigmatism. Fortunately, these can all be effectively managed with early diagnosis, often with prescription lenses or other simple interventions. The earlier we catch them, the better the treatment outcome.

Spotting the signs

Two images of a butterfly, the left side is blurred to represent vision issues, while the right side is clear

Children with sight problems may assume how they see the world is normal.Eye exams can detect changes that neither you nor your child may notice or express. Here are common signs to watch for:

squinting or narrowing the eyes to see clearly
sitting near to screens
holding books or tablets close to the face
frequent headaches, especially after reading
excessive eye rubbing
difficulty focusing on reading or homework.

These behaviours could indicate conditions like long-sightedness, short-sightedness, or astigmatism. Since young children may struggle to explain what’s wrong, these clues can be your first sign that a professional vision check is needed.

Preserve your child’s sight

A young boy outside riding a bicycle with his family.]

Protect your child’s vision with these tips:

book regular eye tests, even if there are no obvious issues
encourage daily outdoor play
set limits on screen time, especially before bed
offer a balanced diet rich in vitamins and nutrients
make sure homework and reading are done in good lighting.

Healthy vision starts today

Book your children’s eye test at our opticians in Amersham to proactively protect their eye health – and their future.