It is claimed that 75% to 90% of everything a child learns come from what they see. It is important that parents are aware of their children's eyes and vision so they can reach their full potential. Children should be screened to ensure that treatment is provided in the years of early development (from birth to the age of six).

The wiring from the eyes to the brain develops in the first six years of life, and it is vital that the brain receives good quality 'pictures' form both eyes. For this reason, all children should have an eye examination during this critical period of development.

The presence of a family history of squint or lazy eyes indicates that a child should be seen at 18 months of age.

FRAME SELECTION

It is vital that a child feels happy wearing their spectacles, so they must feel involved in the choice of frame. All too often, an assumption is made that the child will wear spectacles to the value of the NHS voucher rather than advising the parents/guardian of what possibilities are. Children do break and scratch spectacles, and this must be well understood. The child also needs to be comfortable in their spectacles, and parents should be made aware of the availability of thinner, lightweight, reflection-free lenses especially in the case of heavier, high prescriptions.