Top tips for Children's eyes
1) Children should visit the Optometrist every year (or more often if advised)
This will check children's vision and monitor children's eye health.
This is important even if children don’t wear spectacles
Eye tests are FREE under the NHS until children are 16, contact us to find out more
2) Look out for the symptoms that your child may need an eye test
Children often do not complain that they cannot see
The most common symptoms include headaches, rubbing eyes, red eyes, watery eyes, sitting close to television or holding objects close to see them.
3) Don’t wait until they start school before they get their vision checked
¼ of all school age children have an undiagnosed vision problems
This can put children behind with learning and greatly affect their confidence
Many high street Opticians do not test children’s eyes until age 5, we test from age 2
Read more about Our services for children
4) If there are any eye problems get children seen to straight away
If a child is having problems they should see an Optician
Read more about Urgent eye problems
5) Take regular breaks from screens
Children should take regular breaks from using mobile phones, ipads / tablets, computers and the television
Read more (coming soon)
6) Encourage children to wear their glasses or contact lenses if they need a vision correction
If children need a prescription for their eyes, encourage them to wear it, and when recommended, this will help children to perform at their best
7) Consider an anti-reflection coating on spectacles
An anti-reflective coating on spectacles will reduce the glare to give clearer vision so children's eyes get less tired
8) Children should wear Sunglasses with 100% UV protection when outside
This can prevent eye conditions in later life such as cataracts and macular degeneration
There is a lot of UV light even on cloudy days
Sunglasses will also protect children's eyes from grit and the wind when playing or riding bikes or scooters
9) Healthy eyes need a good, balanced diet and plenty of water
Children should regularly eat colourful fruit and vegetables and have a healthy balanced diet
Help them maintain a healthy weight
10) Are children rubbing their eyes?
Although children naturally do this when they are tired
They also do this when they cannot see clearly, straining their eyes, dry eyes, watery eyes, red eyes, or have allergies. It is always best to have a check up with an Optician
Rubbing eyes is harmful to the eyes, skin around the eyes and the eyelids
11) Children should keep active and spend time outdoors
This means children are less likely to be short-sighted as our modern lifestyle is always focusing on close activities
12) Encourage good hygiene
Reduce the risk of colds and eye infections by encouraging children to wash their hands regularly and not share towels
Ideally located near the Heathrow airport in the London Borough of Hounslow, Cranford Opticians can be easily reached from Twickenham, Feltham, Richmond , Teddington, Whitton, Hayes, Heston, Harlington, Southall, Staines, Ashford, Stanwell, Sunbury and many other areas in London and Surrey.