Screening and sight tests

School screening has an important public health role in children’s eye health. However, not every local authority area offers this service. And even when screening is in place, a sight test is still vital to make sure that each child’s unique eye care needs are met.

Many local authorities fund school screening visual checks for early years children. However, many do not. Parents and carers therefore cannot assume that school screening will be carried out.

Where local authorities do fund school screening, this is valuable. However, screening is not the equivalent of a sight test performed in an optical practice by an optometrist and does not perform the same functions. Therefore, even if a child has been screened at school, it is very important that the child attends a sight test. Optometrists have the clinical training and equipment to detect and correct eye problems.

By parents and carers taking children for sight tests before school, any problems can be treated early ensuring the child has the best possible start in their learning journey. For this reason, we advise parents and carers to take children to a local optical practice from the age of three. Don’t worry if your child doesn’t know their letters yet – optometrists have all sorts of ways to assess children’s eyes such as using fun pictures and symbols. And don’t worry if you have a lively child! The optometrist and their team are experts in making a sight test fun for children and encouraging them with praise and maybe even stickers!