Information for Patients/Carers
When?
All children in Tayside are offered an eye test in their pre-school year. Your child will still be due the eye test even if you have decided they will not be going to school until the next year (deferring).
Who?
Your child will have their eyes checked by an orthoptist, who is specially trained at assessing children’s eyes and are responsible for screening all children in Tayside every year (approx 4500 children).
Why?
It is important that all children have their eyes tested at this age as vision problems are best treated when a child is as young as possible while the eyes are still developing. It will also make sure that your child starts school with the best vision possible.
It is very important that all children have their eyes tested as there would be no way for you to notice your child had amblyopia, during their day to day activities.
It is very important that all children have their eyes tested as there would be no way for you to notice your child had amblyopia, during their day to day activities.
Where?
The orthoptists will visit all of the nurseries in Tayside throughout term time.
You will receive an information leaflet known as a vision screening questionnaire from the nursery a couple of weeks prior to our visit. You only have to complete this form if you do NOT want your child to have their eyes tested. If you decide you do not want your child to be tested please complete the form and leave it with your child's teacher.
If your child does not attend nursery or was absent from nursery on the day of screening you will be offered an appointment at your nearest eye clinic. Here is a list of our regular community clinics. Additional clinic locations will be available in Perth and Kinross over the school holidays for children not seen at nursery/do not attend nursery. These are added as and when required.
You will receive an information leaflet known as a vision screening questionnaire from the nursery a couple of weeks prior to our visit. You only have to complete this form if you do NOT want your child to have their eyes tested. If you decide you do not want your child to be tested please complete the form and leave it with your child's teacher.
If your child does not attend nursery or was absent from nursery on the day of screening you will be offered an appointment at your nearest eye clinic. Here is a list of our regular community clinics. Additional clinic locations will be available in Perth and Kinross over the school holidays for children not seen at nursery/do not attend nursery. These are added as and when required.
The Eye Test
It is a fun test that involves looking at pictures, following a light, wearing 3D glasses and matching shapes. These tests are designed for children at this age and allow the orthoptist to assess for a squint, muscle imbalance and any vision problems such as a lazy eye.
The test takes around 6-8 minutes per child.
The test takes around 6-8 minutes per child.
Eye test equipment for children
After the Eye Test
Once your child has been tested the orthoptist will leave a tear off slip for each child tested with the nursery teacher, for you. This will let you know if your child has passed or if a problem was found.
One of the following boxes will be ticked:
Pass: Your child’s eyes are normal for their age. If any eye problems are noticed in the future it is recommended that you take your child to an Optometrist.
Re-check: Your child may have been losing concentration on the day and the test needs to be repeated at a later date. Your child will either be re-assessed at nursery or you will be asked to attend one of our eye clinics to have the test repeated .
Referred: Your child has NOT passed the eye test and needs further assessment. An appointment will be made at your nearest community/hospital eye clinic to have a refraction (glasses assessment) carried out.
One of the following boxes will be ticked:
Pass: Your child’s eyes are normal for their age. If any eye problems are noticed in the future it is recommended that you take your child to an Optometrist.
Re-check: Your child may have been losing concentration on the day and the test needs to be repeated at a later date. Your child will either be re-assessed at nursery or you will be asked to attend one of our eye clinics to have the test repeated .
Referred: Your child has NOT passed the eye test and needs further assessment. An appointment will be made at your nearest community/hospital eye clinic to have a refraction (glasses assessment) carried out.
