Looking after Young Eyes

Good vision is essential in childhood development and regular eye tests are the key to good vision.  

​At Eric Mercer’s we provide a full eye care service for children, together with stylish specs at affordable prices. When you come to our practice, you can be sure your family’s eyes will be examined thoroughly and plenty of time taken to discuss their visual needs.

​If you think your child might be short-sighted, ask us about MiSight contact lenses. These daily disposable lenses are an innovative new option proven to slow the progression of myopia in children.

Children's Eye Problems

Poor vision can have a damaging effect on a child’s ability to learn. Yet, research shows that as many as one in five children attend school with an un-diagnosed eye problem. The problem is that children don’t realize they have a sight defect and there may be no obvious signs for parents and teachers to pick up on. That's why it is so important that children's eyes are tested early, before starting school.

Lazy eye
A lazy eye is a serious but treatable cause of reduced vision in children. It occurs when the vision in one eye has not developed normally. A lazy eye often results from a “turn” or squint in one eye. It can also be caused by a large difference in prescription between the two eyes or when one or both eyes have a large degree of astigmatism. When detected early, a lazy eye can usually be treated successfully. 

Long-sight (Hyperopia)
Children with long-sight have difficulty focussing on near objects. For example, when reading or looking at a computer or tablet screen. 
Short-sight (Myopia)
Children with short-sight can see things clearly up close but find distance objects blurred. Early signs include difficulty seeing the board at school or sitting too close to the TV. Myopia often progresses during childhood and teenage years. However, new MiSight contact lenses have been proven to reduce the rate of myopia progression. For more info, check out our Myopia Control page.

Astigmatism
Astigmatism is caused by an irregular curvature of the cornea at the front of the eye. In other words, instead of being a spherical shape like a football, the eye is shaped more like a rugby ball. This can cause blurred vision at both distance and near. 

Warning signs of poor vision to look out for:
  • headaches or eyestrain
  • blurred vision
  • squinting
  • peering closely at books and TV
  • poor performance at school

Free NHS Eye Tests

It’s never too early to get children’s eyes tested. In fact it's a very good idea to get them checked before the age of 4. That means any problems are discovered before starting school. It doesn't matter if your child is too young to talk or read a letter chart. We can use a range of techniques to detect visual problems at any age. 

The earlier a problem is detected, the better the chances of it being corrected and treated successfully. Also, children’s eyes can change quickly as they get older. So, even if nothing appears to be wrong, it is important to make sure your child has a sight test at least once a year.
 
Remember, it costs nothing to have your child’s eyes tested. Under the NHS, eye tests are free to all children under 16 and full-time students under 19. 

Contact lenses for kids

Contact lenses can be a great option for active kids - particularly for sports like football, hockey, rugby or tennis. 

​Contact lens technology has developed immensely in recent years, making them healthier and more comfortable than ever to wear - even for children as young as 7 years old. Daily disposables offer unrivalled convenience for kids with busy schedules - no cleaning or disinfecting procedures are required and a fresh pair of lenses are used every time they’re worn.

And for children with short-sight, new MiSight daily disposables offer a safe and effective way to slow myopia progression.