Parents, It’s Time for a Kids Eye Test – Here’s Why It Matters

Nigel Robinson on July 1, 2025

A diverse group of school children having fun in front of the whiteboard in a school classroom.

Picture this: it’s another busy morning in your household. You’re rushing to get the children ready for school, checking they’ve got their PE kit, making sure homework is in their bags, and hoping you’ll make it to work on time. Amidst all this chaos, there’s one thing that might not be on your radar but absolutely should be – your child’s vision. A kid’s eye test isn’t just a box to tick; it’s a cornerstone of your child’s learning, development, and confidence. Here at Robinson Optometrists in Whitley Bay, we see firsthand how clear vision transforms children’s lives, and we’re here to explain why regular eye examinations matter more than you might think.

Why Your Child’s Vision is the Key to Their Learning Success

Alt text – A dad helping his young daughter, who is wearing glasses, do homework in the kitchen.

Did you know that up to 80% of what children learn in the classroom is visual? From reading books to copying notes from the whiteboard, clear vision is absolutely essential for academic success. When children struggle with undiagnosed vision problems, it can affect their reading ability, writing skills, concentration levels, and even their behaviour in class.

The tricky thing is, children often don’t realise they can’t see clearly – they simply assume everyone sees the world the same way they do. A child with short-sightedness might think it’s perfectly normal that the writing on the board looks blurry, whilst a youngster with a lazy eye may not even notice they’re relying more heavily on one eye than the other. This is why regular eye tests are so crucial – they catch problems before they impact your child’s education.

How Vision Problems Affect Daily Life Beyond the Classroom

A happy Indian girl holding a football on a field

Clear vision isn’t just about schoolwork – it plays a vital role in every aspect of your child’s day-to-day life. Think about your little footballer trying to track the ball across the pitch, or your budding dancer watching themselves in the studio mirror to perfect their moves. Even simple playground activities like spotting friends across the schoolyard or playing catch require good eyesight.

When children struggle with vision problems, it can knock their confidence and affect their social interactions. They might appear clumsy, avoid certain activities, or become frustrated without understanding why. A comprehensive child’s eye test can identify these issues early, ensuring your child doesn’t miss out on the joys of childhood activities.

Understanding How Quickly Children’s Eyes Can Change

A young school boy sat behind the phoropter at the optician's, ready for an eye test.

Children’s eyesight can change remarkably quickly as they grow and develop. What was perfectly clear vision six months ago might not be the case today. This rapid change is completely normal, but it’s exactly why regular check-ups are so important.

Early detection of common conditions like short-sightedness, long-sightedness, or lazy eye means treatment can begin promptly when it’s most effective. The good news? The NHS free eye test means there’s no cost barrier to keeping your child’s vision in tip-top condition. These appointments are designed to be simple, stress-free, and even quite fun for little ones.

Why Choose Local Opticians in Whitley Bay

A photo of the outside of Robinson Optometrists, focusing on the signage outside the building, featuring eyewear window displays.

As your local opticians in Whitley Bay, we understand the unique needs of families in our community. We know how busy life can be, juggling work, school runs, and after-school activities around Newcastle and the surrounding areas. That’s why we’ve made our children’s eye tests as convenient and comfortable as possible.

Our experienced team knows exactly how to put young patients at ease, using child-friendly equipment and techniques that make the whole experience positive. We’re not just checking boxes – we’re investing in your child’s future success and happiness.

Ready to Support Every Moment of Learning and Play?

A mother and father reading a book to their two young boys.

Your child’s vision is too important to leave to chance. Whether they’re tackling their times tables, perfecting their penalty kicks, or simply enjoying story time before bed, clear sight makes every moment brighter and more successful.

Don’t wait until you notice a problem – many vision issues develop gradually and aren’t immediately obvious. Book your child’s next eye test with us today and give them the clear vision they need to thrive in every aspect of their young lives.

Ready to take that important step? Contact Robinson Optometrists today to schedule your child’s eye test. Because when your little ones see clearly, their whole world opens up with possibilities.

MiYOSMART Glasses for Short Sightedness

Nigel Robinson on October 31, 2024

Young girl holding her glasses on her face while smiling

MiYOSMART Glasses: A Smart Choice for Your Child’s Vision

Managing myopia is more important than ever, with 50% of the world’s population projected to be myopic by 2050. For parents, this rising trend highlights the need for proactive strategies to safeguard children’s eyesight. One innovative solution is MiYOSMART glasses lenses by Hoya—an effective way to manage and slow myopia progression.

What is myopia, and why does it matter?

Myopia, or short-sightedness, is a condition in which distant objects appear blurry because the eye grows too long or the cornea curves too much. It often develops in childhood, and if left unmanaged, it can lead to long-term issues like glaucoma, retinal detachment, or macular degeneration later in life. Beyond health risks, uncorrected myopia can also affect everyday activities, from learning to sports. Managing myopia early can significantly protect your child’s vision for life.

What are MiYOSMART lenses, and how do they work?

MiYOSMART lenses are cutting-edge spectacle lenses scientifically designed by Hoya to help slow the progression of myopia. Their unique design features “Defocus Incorporated Multiple Segments” (D.I.M.S.) technology. Simply put, these lenses project slightly defocused images onto the peripheral retina to slow its elongation—effectively reducing the condition’s progression. These innovative glasses for myopia look and feel like normal glasses lenses, so your child won’t feel different from their peers.

Benefits of MiYOSMART glasses

Made with science-backed precision, MiYOSMART lenses offer several benefits and enhance your child’s comfort and vision.

Studies show that MiYOSMART lenses slow the progression of short-sightedness by up to 60%, giving you peace of mind regarding your little one’s long-term vision health.
These polycarbonate lenses are impact-resistant and lightweight, perfect for your children’s active and busy lives.
MiYOSMART lenses are also available in polarised and photochromic options. These options ensure comfort in bright sunlight and UV protection while adapting seamlessly to indoor and outdoor environments.

The future of vision today

With innovative solutions like MiYOSMART glasses, helping your child manage myopia is no longer daunting. The sooner you act, the greater the benefits for your child’s vision and overall quality of life.

Book an appointment at our opticians in Whitley Bay today and take the first step towards giving your child clearer, healthier eyesight.

Everything you need to know about short sightedness in children

Nigel Robinson on August 31, 2022

Short-sightedness, or myopia, is a common eye condition which typically becomes apparent in children aged around 8 to 12. Myopia is characterised by distant objects being blurred while close-up objects are clear. This is due to the shape of the eyeball becoming more elongated than it should be, causing light to bend incorrectly in front of your retina at the back of your eye, rather than on it.

Roughly a third of the UK’s population has myopia. This figure is expected to rise to 50% by 2050.

Risk factors

While myopia is still not fully understood, studies have shown that children with one or more myopic parents are more likely to develop the condition.

Screen use may also be a factor. Using a digital screen for extended periods of time forces the eyes to focus predominantly on a close object, which over long periods of time is detrimental to eye health and may increase the risk of developing myopia. With the recent increase in screen use due to Covid-19, particularly among children, this is a pertinent issue.

Stronger prescriptions may be required for glasses when considering short sightedness

Standard prescription glasses can provide clearer vision, but over time, stronger and stronger prescriptions may be required as the condition worsens.

The best solution is myopia management and it’s important to act at an early age to prevent complications related to high myopic prescriptions in adulthood, like glaucoma, or retinal detachments.

Management technology

A lot of research has been conducted into how best to treat myopia in children, and there are options to slow down the condition and help protect future vision.

MiYOSMART spectacle lenses have been clinically proven to slow down the progression of myopia by up to 60% in children. They don’t look any different from other glasses, and are worn just like them, but their design incorporates a myopic defocus effect, which is what helps to control myopia.

These glasses lenses are award winning, and full UV protection, water repellency and impact resistance add to their credentials as the perfect children’s glasses for myopia.

Not just glasses

Children’s contact lenses are also available which have the same non-invasive techniques and outcomes. We offer MiSight 1 day soft contact lenses, again clinically proven to slow down myopia in children, and ideal for active children who don’t want to be restricted by glasses. As 1-day lenses they are hygienic, soft and comfortable to wear, with children as young as 8 able to adapt to them with no problem.

MiSight 1 day soft contact lenses are clinically proven to slow down myopia in children

Contact our opticians in Whitley Bay

If you think your child could benefit from myopia management, come and see us in person. We have expert optometrists who are accredited to fit MiYOSMART and MiSight lenses and would be more than happy to help you find the best way to protect your child’s future vision.