We all know that the hospital is the last place your child wants to visit. But no matter how much they don’t like going, we still have to take them for a checkup now and then. The question now is, how often do you take your child for eye tests?
We care about several other important things like the kind of food they eat, making sure they eat healthily and keep junk to a minimum. We ensure they eat good food packed with nutrients for growth and development. We ensure they get good hours of sleep every night, and we also try to get them to exercise regularly. These are some of the important things we pay attention to. Other things concerning our children’s physical health that we pay attention to include their haircare, skincare and their school stuff. Sadly, all these and more are the ways we care for our children’s physical health, but we hardly pay much attention to eye tests.
Eye tests. Are they important?
Often, we fail to realise that children need regular eye tests, sometimes even more than we do. Because you don’t think they have problems with their eyesight does not necessarily mean they don’t. Sometimes, it can be hard to notice that your child has minor sight problems, especially when they try so hard to keep it away from you. But most importantly, taking your child for regular eye tests will not only make it easier to treat eye problems if any, but it will also make it easier to detect any problem early.
On that note, we come back to the question, are eye tests necessary? Yes, they most definitely are. Even if your family has no history of sight problems, taking your child for regular eye tests is a necessity.
Why should my child get regular eye tests?
About 96% of optometrists in the UK confirmed that when a child’s vision is corrected, it can have positive effects on their learning and development. This means that a greater percentage of cases where children have bad grades is as a result of poor eyesight. It is so much easier to focus on other aspects of a child’s academic priorities like school books, perfect uniform, smart haircut and hairstyle and writing materials; however, the bottom line remains that a child will always struggle with academic excellence as well as experience challenges with academic progress if they cannot see well.
A regular eye test will reassure you that your child’s eyesight is sound and will help you detect and treat eye defects early enough. If there is a need for glasses to be prescribed, an eye test will help determine that.
How often should your child get eye tests?
Eye tests are recommended for children at least once a year. Contact an eye expert or visit an eye clinic and have your child’s eyesight tested.
How much does it cost to get an eye test?
If you are refraining from taking your child for eye tests because of the money factor, then there is really no need to worry about it. School children up to the age of 16 are eligible for free annual eye tests in the UK. Also, children aged 16 – 18 are also eligible for a free annual eye test provided they are in full-time education.
Good eyesight can positively impact on a child’s life and academics. You do not have to wait till it gets worse or till the symptoms of poor or depreciating eyesight are evident before you take action.
Take your child for a yearly eye test to be up to date about their eye health. Contact us today at Optimal vision for eye tests and latest laser eye surgery in London.
