The document provides information on eye examinations for children, noting that vision problems are common in young children and various tests are used by optometrists to examine a child's vision, including checking for refractive errors, eye health, binocular function, and more. It recommends getting a child's eyes tested during infancy with a pediatrician, at age 3 if there are concerns, and then every 2 years or as advised by the optometrist.

1. Children’s Eye Examination:
It is estimated that 5%-10% of pre-school children
and 25% of school going children have vision
problems. The majority of young children will have
a refractive correction i.e. a prescription.
However, this does not mean they necessarily need
glasses. The power of the eye changes quite rapidly
in childhood and a level of hyperopia (long
sightedness) is quite normal in young children.
Often this “normalises” naturally as the child
approaches school going age.

2. Infants:
A paediatrician will usually perform a gross visual check on
your child soon after birth to rule out serious eye
conditions. Vision will again be checked at any follow up
developmental appointments – usually an ophthalmologist.
Pre-school school-going children:
Even children who cannot read are able to have a visual
assessment. Symbols and shapes may be used at both
distance and near positions to check how well they can see.
The more ”fun” the tests appear to be the easier it is for the
child to participate and co-operate.

3. Some of the following tests may be used by an optometrist to examine your child’s
vision:
•Retinoscopy: Shining a bright light into the eye to estimate any prescription that may exist.
•Picture Matching/Identification: Use of picture cards to gauge how well the child can see.
•Fixation checks: The optometrist will examine how the eyes work together when looking at objects at
long and close distances. Also the child’s ability to follow moving targets will be checked.
•Stereopsis: Children usually enjoy this test which examines how the eyes work together. It is a very
important test and the fun targets help to keep children interested.
•Ophthalmoscopy: An instrument called and ophthalmoscope allows a clear view of the inside of the
child’s eye to check that it is healthy.
•Cover Test: Another important test is the cover test which looks at deviations and co-ordination of the
eyes. This is very important as it can detect “turns” in the eye. A “turn” can lead to poor development of
vision in one eye that is not reversible in later life.
•Colour Vision: this should be checked when a child is old enough to recognise numbers.
Often an optometrist will put drops into your child’s eye. This helps them to get the
most accurate prescription.

4. When should I get my child’s eyes tested?
At each of the following stages:
Infancy: Paediatrician visual assessment
Pre-School (3 years of age): Especially if you have concerns about your
child’s vision.
Early School Going (3-6 years of age)
At two year intervals from here on unless advised to do so
more often.

5. School screening versus full eye examination:
A school vision screening is just that, a screening
test. The aim is to identify children with significant
visual issues so that they can be referred on for
further investigation. It is a basic vision assessment.
A full eye examination investigates what prescription
exists if any, examines the health of the eye and
binocular function.

6. See your optometrist if your child complains
of/displays any of the following signs and symptoms:
•Headaches
•Turned eye
•Blurry vision
•Squinting or head tilting
•Poor hand-eye co-ordination
•Sitting very close to the TV
•Holding books etc. very close
•Closing one eye to focus on the near of distant objects
•Poor performance in school (copying friends work etc.)

7. As the child needs to be somewhat co-
operative during the test it is advisable
to make an appointment for a time of
the day where they are not likely to be
tired and irritable.