Children's Vision

More than 10% of New Zealand children experience visual problems. Sometimes children don't complain because they don't realise that other children may see more clearly.

Our eyes collect 80% of the information processed by the brain. Poor vision can impact on confidence, sports ability and learning, so early detection of impaired vision is really important for children.

The New Zealand Association of Optometrists recommends that children's eyes are checked:

• at 6 months
• at 3 years
• at 6 years
• every 2 years after that, unless otherwise advised by your Optometrist.

This is particularly important if there are visual defects in your family or if your child appears to have problems reading or learning.

Are you concerned about your child's vision?

Use our checklist below to identify potential visual problems.

Does your child:

• Complain of not seeing clearly
• Copy incorrectly from the blackboard
• Hold a book very close
• Reverse letters b for d, or replace words, for example; saw for was
• Use a finger to point to words when reading (this is normal for a young child)
• Occasionally or persistently report seeing double while reading or writing, especially if the word is hard
• Blink excessively when doing near vision work, but not otherwise
• Lose the place when copying from the blackboard or copying from other written material
• Tilt the head at an angle to the book when reading
• Have a poor attention span and become tired after near vision work
• Rub eyes during or after short periods of reading
• Experience headaches, burning or itching eyes after reading or near vision work

If you have any concerns about your child's vision, please call any of our practices. Our Optometrists will be happy to talk you. A phone call costs nothing.