Key milestones in your child's eyesight
Babies
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Their eyes become sensitive to colours and patterns
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Colour vision improves greatly over the first 3 months after birth
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They begin to focus on things after a few months
Look out for: A white reflection glimmer in the eyes (you might see this in photos where the red eye effect is only apparent in one eye) – this might indicate a problem and should be checked out.
6 months
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By now their eyes should be fully developed
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They can judge depth and see 3D shapes
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In rare cases the need for glasses may become apparent
Look out for: Your babies’ eyes should be able to follow you around a room after a few months. You can do a quick check – cover each eye in turn. If your baby doesn’t like having one eye covered more than the other one there may be a problem, which should be checked.
4 - 5 years
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Vision screening at school should happen during their first year
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Keep an eye out for the signs of a squint
Look out for: If vision screening hasn’t happened by the end of their first year, or you have concerns about their eyesight, book an appointment with us - the NHS cover the full cost so you won't have to pay anything.
6 years +
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By now treatment for a lazy eye or squint should be well in hand
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Short-sight is most likely to start between 6 and 13 years of age
Look out for: A squint or lazy eye often runs in the family, and may not be obvious all the time. The only way to be sure is to book an appointment with us - the NHS cover the full cost so you won't have to pay anything.
Remember
If you’re worried, get their eyesight checked it out. The earlier any problems are picked up, the easier it will be to treat them.
You will not have to pay for a
Full Eye Examination for your child . . .
The NHS cover the Eye Examination charges for all children up to the age of 16 and for young adults aged 16, 17 and 18, if they are in full-time education.
They also provide assistance towards the cost of basic new glasses, excluding any upgrades to may choose.
Our 35 minute appointments ensure there's ample time to check every aspect of your child's vision
We offer a lot more than just a Full Eye Examination for your child . . .
There are plently of good reasons
to have your child's vision checked with us . . .
Colorimetry
When everything else has been tried, undiagnosed reading difficulties can sometimes be helped by using a coloured overlay sheet or glasses with a special precision tint.
Frames that actually fit . . .
Our qualified Dispensing Opticians will carefully guide you and your child through the process of choosing a new frame and make sure the frame size and fit is correct, they have the appropriate side length and they allow for some growing room.
All our junior glasses come with a FREE second pair of single vision lenses - ideal for a spare pair, sport or as prescription sunglasses. All that's needed is to choose a second frame for their free lenses.
This is in addition to any NHS help they may be entitled to.
Plus a 2nd pair of lenses FREE
Contact lenses
Many parents are unaware their child could wear contact lenses for occasional use when playing sport or simply for social wear. Lenses will remove their reliance on spectacles when playing sport and can also dramatically boost their self confidence.
Right now we're offering children and young adults the opportunity to try contact lenses from just £49.50 . . .
Short-sightedness or myopia can start at around 6 - 13 years of age and continue to get progressively worse until a child stops growing. There are associated risks to their eye health and vision that mean it's vitally important to slow down the progress as soon as possible.
We offer a number of therapies including the latest MiSight Daily Contact Lenses. For more information speak to one of our accredited Opticians when you child next attends an appointment with us.
Myopia control
For many children and young adults sport is an important part of their life. Needing to wear glasses can often prove problematic, especially from a health and safety standpoint. At Noakes Habermehl and Kerr we offer a wide range of sports eyewear and we're part of the RFU accredited eyewear scheme for junior rugby. We also supply junior sports eyewear for football, swimming and many other sports.
Contact lenses are also a great option
with our free trial for children and young adults.
Sport
Sun protection
Because young eyes are still developing we advise you consider appropriate sun protection, not only for their delicate skin, but also for their eyes, especially when going on holiday to sunny destinations.
Our junior sunglasses provide 100% protection from harmful UV, reduce unwanted glare and they look pretty cool too . . .
FREE second pair of lenses - if you're ordering normal glasses then why not use this offer to get them a pair of prescription sunglasses.
With incredible peer pressure on young adults to look their best we know it's imperative their glasses convey the right appearance.
Junior frames generally stop becoming an option, due to sizing, at around 13 - 14 years of age, so you'll need to consider an adult sized frame. Although the NHS still provide assistance towards the costs, we will normally ask you to contribute a small amount towards an appropriately sized adult frame. It may also be worth considering contact lenses as an option . . .
Teenagers
Blue light
In recent years evidence has begun to point towards a link between excessive exposure to certain frequencies of blue light and a suppression in our ability to produce melatonin, the hormone associated with making us sleepy at bedtime. Such exposure invariably comes from digital display screens like those found in mobile phones and tablets. Although there are lens coatings now available to block out blue light, the available evidence and their effectiveness is still up for discussion.
Our advice is to try and reduce your child's use of such devices in the evening before bedtime.
Available at all practices
Available at Stoke, Ivybridge and Callington
Signs of a squint . . .
Strabismus or squint is fairly common in children and may correct itself over time, however it can also lead to permanent poor vision in one eye if left uncorrected. Checking for this condition early on is vital, which is why we recommend that all children should have a full Eye Examination before starting school.
Colour preception
Colour vision defects are present at birth with younger children generally unaware they see colours differently. Because these defects remain with us for life it's important to identify them early so help and guidance can be offered. This is why we recommend that all children should have an Eye Examination before starting school.
Their first Eye Examination
It's a common question and if you have any concerns don't hesitate to get in touch with us. Normally a child will need to be able to provide feedback to our questions for us to fully exam their vision, however an objective assessment can be carried at any age. We recommend that all children have an Eye Examination before starting school.
