Short-Sightedness in Children is on the Rise

In May 2016, The College of Optometrists sent out a briefing to its members reporting on the Northern Ireland Childhood Errors of Refraction (NICER) study. It’s the largest ever UK study of the changes in children’s vision. The study has uncovered some key points about myopia, also known as short-sightedness. It found that almost one […]

Free children's eye test in Littleover Derby

The Importance of Children’s Eye Tests Now That Vision Screening Has Changed

Changes to children’s vision screening across Derbyshire came into effect in April 2016. We’ve been spreading the word about the changes for the last month or so. The new system means that instead of children’s vision being screened at around three-and-a-half to four years of age in a local community setting, it will be done […]

Cute Blinx charms for children's glasses

Blinx – Spectacle Accessories for Children

Talking to Blink founder Stephanie Collier about Blinx glasses accessories. What are Blinx? Blinx are an eye-catching range of accessories for children who wear glasses, allowing them to easily customise their existing spectacle frames. Designed to easily slip on and off the arms of children’s spectacles, the small silicon charms can be swapped and changed […]

Talking Vision: the changes to children’s vision screening in Derbyshire

Richard Petrie owner and optometrist Davina visited Silvertrees Nursery in March to talk to parents about the changes to children’s vision screening which come into effect in April. During the presentation, Davina spoke about the new system, which sees children’s vision being screened in their reception year of school rather than at around three-and-a-half years of […]

Vision in the Classroom

Whereas sight testing checks the smallest letters or images we can see, vision is more a measure of our interpretation and reaction to the information our brain receives through our eyes. Often, the best people to spot vision problems in children are the ones who spend all day watching over them: teachers and nursery nurses. […]

A Child’s First Eye Test – as told by Mum – Part 3

A first eye test can be a little daunting for children and their parents, but we try to make it as comfortable as possible for all of our patients – especially the little ones. Alfie, aged 3, came along for an eye test with his mum Samantha last week. Samantha couldn’t find much information about […]

Chosing frames for children's spectacles at Richard Petrie

A Child’s First Eye Test – as told by Mum – Part 2

A Child’s First Eye Test – as told by Mum – Part 1

A child’s first eye test can be a little daunting for children and their parents, but we try to make it as comfortable as possible for all of our patients – especially the little ones. Alfie, aged 3, came along for his first eye test with his mum Samantha last week. Samantha couldn’t find much […]

Video: Children’s Contact Lenses

There’s no age criteria for wearing contact lenses – it all depends on the individual. In her video, Davina talks about the advantages of contact lenses over spectacles and how at the practice we can help children to learn how to handle and fit them safely.

Video: When shall I take my child for their first eye test?

We often get asked by parents when the best time to test a child’s eyesight is. The answer is that there really is no rule on when to book a child’s eye test. It’s down to the individual. Learn more in Davina’s video. Watch the video about your child’s first eye test below or click here