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Children & Teenagers

IT IS NEVER TOO EARLY TO START LOOKING AFTER YOUR CHILD’S EYES AND SIGHT.

Patients often ask when is it possible to bring in their child for an eye examination and the most important answer is that if you have any query as regards your child’s eyes then do not hesitate to get them checked.

At a very early age it is important to ensure the balance of the eyes are good and that one eye does not become lazy. The child does not need to be able to read the letters on the chart as there are picture charts that will assist us.

Myopia is more likely to show from around 6-7 years onwards if there is a tendency towards that (see Myopia). Children can have visual perception difficulties without needing a prescription as such – and we can test for this also – as this could easily hold them back on their school work, and reading and writing particularly. (see Visual Dyslexia)

Protection from harmful UV light is also important at a young age as the eyes absorb more of the UV than we do later in life – so kids sunglasses are important and we stock many here.

A full comprehensive check then from an early age is important and we can ensure the development of the eyes are looked after.

Some of the signs of concern are as follows:-

  • Excessive blinking
  • Squinting or screwing up the eyes to see
  • Peering closely at books and screens
  • Clumsiness
  • Poor performance at school
  • Reluctance to read
  • Headaches

So if any concern then please arrange an appointment-the examination is carried out through the N.H.S. while under 19 full time education.

The treatment plan for children with myopia.

There are a few different ways to control myopia progression. However, regardless of the treatment chosen, the ultimate goal is always the same: inhibit the growth of the length of the eye and by extension, slow the development of myopia.

The development of myopia may never be halted completely. but this treatment plan has been designed to help keep its growth to a minimum. How effective this is differs from person to person. Your eye care professional will have a prognosis and progress tool to help give you more information about this.

This treatment plan has been developed to allow the safe and effective application of myopia control. The treatment plan consists of:

Contact lenses that restrict the progression of myopia

Contact lens solution

Regular check-ups with your eye care professional

Access to the practice whenever needed

through our EyePlan scheme

Spectacle lenses are also available

We can also offer special spectacle lenses to control nearsightedness to secure eye health for the future-these can be MYCON from Rodenstock but also MIOSMART and STELLEST lenses that also do the same thing. Please enquire further.

As well as inhibiting the development of myopia, the Menicon Bloom treatment plan also corrects your existing myopia so you can see clearly during the day.

What can you do yourself?

Play outside

Exposure to daylight has been shown to help prevent the development of myopia. It is also believed to have a positive influence on restricting the development of existing myopia. So, it is recommended that you go outside for at least two hours every day.

Do not spend too long focusing at short distances

Maintaining a constant focus at very short distances is believed to be a contributing factor in the development of myopia. Your eyes work hard to see clearly when you’re reading, playing a game on your
mobile phone or watching videos on your tablet. Take a short break (at least 20 seconds) every 20 minutes to give your eyes a rest.

See an eye care professional

Qualified eye care professionals can identify myopia with a simple eye test. Your eyes undergo a great deal of development when you are young, Monitoring this development is necessary so that appropriate treatment can be started as soon as possible in order to prevent potential future vision problems. Having regular eye checks with an eye care professional is very important.