How early can I get my child’s eyes checked by an Optometrist?

Early detection of vision problems is essential to ensuring your child has the visual skills they need to do well in school, sports and other activities. 

The NZ Association of Optometrists recommends that children have their eyes examined at six to 12 months old, at two to three years of age and before starting school. However, once you have seen your optometrist for the first time, they will make a recommendation as to when your child should have their next eye examination.

An eye examination is not just a vision test. The optometrist is looking at the health of your child’s eyes, as well as ensuring your child’s eyes are functioning properly, and working together as a team. This is especially important during the early formative years, otherwise a lifetime of poor vision in one or both eyes can occur. 

It’s interesting to note that vision problems can still occur even when your child’s vision seems good. The Before School Check is also an excellent way to pick up vision problems early on but be aware that it is just a screening. It is still recommended to get your child’s eyes check at an Optometrist, as they will do a thorough job of checking both the vision and the health of your child’s eyes.

Experts say that 80 per cent of what children learn in school is presented visually. Parents need to understand the basics of children’s eye health so they can detect problems early and address them before they become serious.

If a child is having difficulty at school parents, caregivers or teachers can look out for signs that a previously undetected visual problem is the underlying cause.

These can include obvious signs such as:

• Moving closer to a book or computer screen while reading
• Sitting at a table with an awkward posture or tilting their head to one side
• Closing one eye while reading 
• Losing place while reading; skipping or re-reading lines or words
• Using a finger as a place mark when reading; reading unusually slowly 

It can also include less obvious signs such as:

• Dislike and avoidance of close work
• Excessive blinking or rubbing of eyes
• Complaints of headache, dizziness and nausea
• Lack of confidence in group sports and activities.

A full and thorough eye examination with your local optometrist is the most effective way of assessing eye health and visual function of your child’s eyes. 

If your family holds a valid Community Services Card, there is a subsidy available for the eye examination and glasses for children aged 15 years or younger.  Ask your optometrist for more information.