Getting your child’s eyesight checked
Your child’s eyesight won’t be checked in school. You’ll need to take your child to an NHS optician to check their eyesight.
NHS eye checks are free for:
- children under 16 years old
- young people under 19 years old who are in full-time education
If your child needs glasses
If your child’s eyesight can be improved with glasses, the optician will give you:
- a prescription
- an NHS form to apply for help towards the cost of the glasses
Serious and/or undiagnosed eyesight problems
If your child has a problem with their eyesight that can’t be improved with glasses, the optician will either:
- tell you to take your child to your doctor (GP)
- refer your child to a specialist eye clinic – usually in a hospital
Vision impairment
Eyesight problems that can’t be improved by wearing glasses or contact lenses or by having an operation are called ‘vision impairments’.
Someone with a vision impairment may have reduced near or distance vision an which is blurred or distorted sight. They may not be able to see properly around the edge of their vision when they’re looking straight ahead – known as ‘reduced fields of vision’.
Some children experience vision impairment following an illness or accident, while others may have been born severely sight impaired (blind) or with sight impairment.
Get help with your child’s education
If your child has been diagnosed with a vision impairment and you would like to talk to someone about concerns you have or how they can get extra help with education, you can:
- talk to your child’s teacher or Head Teacher
- talk to the Specialist Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCO) at their school (every school and nursery has a SENCO)
- contact the Vision Support Team
Your child may also be referred to the Specialist Teaching Service by:
- doctor (GP)
- school nurse
- health visitor
- paediatrician or ophthalmologist
- Eye Clinic Liaison Officer (ECLO)
They’ll contact us if:
- they know your child has a vision impairment or is certified as sight impaired / severely sight impaired (blind)
- your child isn’t progressing at nursery or school and they think it could be because of sight problems
Assessment
A specialist teacher of vision impairment will assess your child’s functional vision and establish how they cope with day-to-day activities at school and at home.
After the initial assessment, the specialist teacher of vision impairment will recommend ways that your child can make the most of the vision they have and discuss these with you and your child’s nursery or school.
The specialist teacher of vision impairment might also refer your child to a ‘habilitation’ specialist to help them develop their skills in getting around on their own and other activities in daily life.
Equipment
Children referred to the Vision Support Team, maybe assessed by a specialist teacher of vision impairment to determine whether they require assistive technology to aid their access to learning. It may be recommended for schools to provide equipment as a reasonable adjustment or the Vision Support Team if more specialist technology.
Support groups and activities
Search the Family Information Directory for local support groups and activities for your child and your family.
RNIB has a useful section for parents and carers of blind and partially sighted children