- New child eye health public awareness campaign launched by eye care sector partners
(8 October 2026): To mark World Sight Day, new analysis of UK eye tests data estimates that only around 5% of the total population of children aged 5 years and under had an eye test in 2025, despite optometrists and opticians recommending that children should be taken for their first regular eye test by the time they start school, from age 3-4 years old.
While the data for the under 16s age group appears more encouraging, with between 39.7% and 46.1% of this population estimated to have had an eye test in 2025, the data for the younger age group, with 95% of under 5s not having had an eye test in 2025, is a cause for concern. Undetected eye conditions in early childhood can mean missing the crucial window for early intervention for conditions such as amblyopia (lazy eye), when treatment is most likely to achieve the best possible outcomes.
The Association of Dispensing Opticians (ABDO), The College of Optometrists, Boots Opticians, and Specsavers have come together to launch a public eye health campaign to increase parents’ awareness of the importance of taking children for an eye test before they start school. The campaign is also supported by Fight for Sight, FODO, the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) and OSA (Optical Suppliers Association) and reality TV star and parent Olivia Bowen is an ambassador for the campaign.
Increasing public awareness
The campaign encourages optometrists, dispensing opticians, contact lens opticians and other optical professionals who work with children to support and promote this campaign within their place of work by displaying the campaign’s posters in practices and sharing the social media assets with their patients and followers.
Improving health services’ signposting for children’s eye health
The campaign partners are also calling on national health and care service providers to:
- update all guidance across the UK to signpost parents/carers to their local optician’s practice as their first port of call for eye health services and advice
- include advice in the personal child health records (the ‘red book’) about how and why parents/carers should take their child for regular sight tests from the age of three to four years.
Public misconceptions about children’s eye health
An additional survey of parents and legal guardians of children aged 0-11commissioned for the campaign**has outlined a worrying gap in their approach to children’s eye health in comparison to dental checkups, with widespread misconceptions about eye tests and eye health. The findings show that one in three parents (29%) have never taken their child to an optometrist at an optician’s practice for a full eye test. However, 90% of parents with children under 12 have taken their child for a routine dental check-up. Additionally, 53% of children who do not wear glasses have never had a professional eye test.
Alarmingly, 30% of parents of children who don’t wear glasses say they have no plans to ever book an eye test. These worrying statistics show the lack of awareness amongst parents and guardians in the UK about the importance of childhood eye tests. One of the most common misconceptions is that children need to be able to read to have an eye test, with 38% of people polled still believing this to be the case. However, optometrists can assess children’s vision and eye health using age-appropriate techniques, meaning parents and guardians should not delay booking an eye test because their child cannot yet read.
Around 3% of children in the UK develop amblyopia. Early detection is critical to treat this eye condition which may be present or develop in early childhood, but less than half of parents polled (48%) are aware that amblyopia[SJ1] (commonly known as a lazy eye) can often be reversed if it is detected before the child turns 7 or 8. Uncorrected refractive error (short-sightedness, long-sightedness and astigmatism) and squint can negatively affect children’s learning and development. Although rare, serious eye diseases can also be detected at an eye test. Myopia typically starts to develop later in childhood, between ages 6 and 13, and it’s estimated in the UK around one in five children will be myopic by age 18, which is why its critical children are taken for regular eye tests throughout childhood**.
Eye sector collaboration
Denise Voon, Clinical Advisor at The College of Optometrists, says, “College guidance recommends that children attend for their first eye test at around 3 to 4 years old and then every 1-2 years throughout childhood, or as advised by their optometrist. NHS funded eye tests are free for all children under the age of 16, and it is a quick and easy routine health check that gives parents peace of mind that their child’s eyes and vision are healthy to support their development during their school years.”
Dr Alicia Thompson, Research Director at the Association of British Dispensing Opticians, added, ” Every child deserves the opportunity to see clearly and reach their full potential. Regular sight tests are essential, but they are only part of the journey to achieving the best possible vision throughout life. If glasses are needed, children should also be seen by a dispensing optician who can ensure their spectacles fit their developing features, feel comfortable, suit their lifestyle, and are accurately fitted so they receive the full benefit of their prescription. The right pair of glasses can make a huge difference to a child’s vision, both now and in the future, as well as their confidence, development, and everyday experiences.”
Sarah Joyce, Chair at FODO, commented, “Opticians’ practices are located in communities across the UK, making it easy for families to access professional care close to home. NHS funded eye examinations are available free of charge for all children under 16, removing financial barriers and ensuring every child has the opportunity to benefit from regular eye health tests. Eye conditions can often be invisible both to parents and to the child. Refractive error (long & short sightedness and astigmatism), anisometropia (unequal prescriptions), and amblyopia (lazy eye) often present with no outward signs, and a child with lifelong reduced or asymmetric vision won’t necessarily be aware that their vision is abnormal. We need to ensure that parents are aware they should take children for regular eye tests and not to wait for signs of any issues, otherwise we systematically miss a large proportion of the children who would benefit from detection.”
Kyla Black, Director of Optical Practice at Boots Opticians, said: “We’re delighted to be collaborating with The Association of Dispensing Opticians, The College of Optometrists and Specsavers on a joint goal of highlighting the importance of taking a child for an eye test. As children develop, eyesight plays a vital role in how they learn and grow, making eye care an essential part of their health. Around 80% of what children learn is absorbed through vision, so detecting issues early can have a big impact on their confidence, learning, and overall development. That’s why regular eye tests are so important, as they help ensure your child’s vision is healthy, supporting them both in the classroom and in everyday life.”
Jill Campbell, Optometrist at Specsavers, says, “It’s often difficult to tell whether your child has sight problems, as they may not realise anything is wrong. Signs to look out for include squinting, tilting their head to see better, frequently rubbing their eyes, or losing their place while reading and using a finger to follow the words. Being a parent naturally means there is a lot to juggle, but good eyesight is vital for learning and development, so pre-school eye tests are really important. At Specsavers we make it a priority to put kids at ease and reassure them during what may be an unfamiliar experience.”
Keith Valentine, Chief Executive of Fight for Sight, said, “Every child should have the best possible start, and good vision is a vital part of that. Too many children are reaching school age without having had an eye test, meaning problems can go unnoticed at the very point when early action can make the greatest difference. At Fight for Sight, we want to prevent avoidable sight loss wherever possible, and that starts with making sure families have the right information. This campaign shows what can be achieved when the eye health sector works together, and we want to help make taking a child for an eye test a routine part of looking after their health, so that more children get the right care at the right time.”
Peter Holland, CEO, IAPB, said: “Good vision is fundamental to a child’s development, learning and wellbeing, yet these findings suggest far too many children are starting school without ever having had an eye test. Early childhood is a critical window for identifying and treating vision problems, and delaying an eye examination can mean missing opportunities to prevent lifelong impacts on a child’s education, confidence and quality of life. By raising awareness among parents and improving signposting through health services, we can help ensure more children receive timely eye examinations and the support they need to reach their full potential.”
OSA Chair, James Conway said, “OSA is delighted to support this campaign and the important message that children’s eye health should be part of their routine healthcare. We have always strongly believed that collaboration across the optical sector is key to improving awareness and ensuring parents know who to turn to for advice and care. With the UK optical industry working together on this, we can help identify children’s potential eye problems at the earliest opportunity which will give them the best possible support and start.”
[SJ1]Amblyopia isn’t the same as a childhood squint – they are 2 separate conditions often found together as the squint causes amblyopia but not solely.