Most parents would never skip their child’s dental check-up, yet very few take them for an eye test. New figures released by the College of Optometrists for World Sight Day show that only around 5% of children aged five and under had an eye test in 2025. Up to six in ten children under 16 did not have one at all.
The gap between teeth and eyes
The College combined eye test data covering most UK sight tests with a survey of 1,000 parents. The contrast is striking: 90% of parents of under-12s have taken their child to the dentist, but 29% have never taken them for a full eye test with an optometrist.
The survey also found some common misunderstandings. Almost four in ten parents believed a child needs to be able to read before having an eye test. Nearly three in ten didn’t know that children’s NHS eye tests are free. And among children who don’t wear glasses, more than half have never had a professional eye test.
Why early checks matter
Children rarely complain about their eyesight. They assume the way they see is the way everyone sees, and many conditions show no outward signs at all.
One example is amblyopia, often called lazy eye, which affects around 3% of UK children. According to the College, it can often be reversed if it is caught before the age of seven or eight, yet fewer than half of parents knew this. Short sight (myopia) is another: around one in five UK children is estimated to be short-sighted by 18, and it typically develops between the ages of six and 13.
That is why the College, together with the Association of British Dispensing Opticians and others, is urging parents to book a first eye test before their child starts school.
When to book, and how often
The College’s advice is simple. Book your child’s first full eye test at around three to four years old, then keep up regular tests through childhood, usually every one to two years, or as your optometrist recommends.
Your child doesn’t need to know their letters. Optometrists use age-appropriate techniques, so even very young children can be tested. And if your child does need glasses, the College and ABDO recommend having them fitted by a dispensing optician, so the frames sit comfortably and suit how active your child is.
What this means for you
- Book before school. If your child is three or four, or older and has never had a full eye test, book one now. October half-term is a convenient time.
- Don’t wait for symptoms. Many childhood eye conditions have no obvious signs, so regular tests matter even if your child seems to see well.
- Remember it’s free. NHS eye tests are free for all children under 16 across the UK.
- Keep it regular. Diary the next test, usually every one to two years, especially between six and 13 when short sight often starts.
A relaxed first visit
A first eye test should feel like an adventure, not an exam. Our optometrists see children of all ages, from babies and toddlers to teenagers, and we take our time so they feel at ease. If your child needs glasses, our dispensing team will help them choose a pair they love wearing, from NHS voucher styles to Ray-Ban Kids.
To book your child’s eye test, call Edgbaston on 0121 456 5676 or Barnt Green on 0121 445 4545, or read more about our children’s eye care.
