Older children may wear contact lenses, but both they and their parents must be aware of the high level of care required to keep their lenses clean and safe, as well as the need for frequent check-ups to keep their eyes healthy. Under the NHS an eye examination is available without charge for all children up to the age of 16, and under 19 if they are in full-time education. As an indication of the importance of children s sight care, only a qualified practitioner an optometrist or dispensing optician registered with the General Optical Council, or a registered medical practitioner is permitted by law to supply children s spectacles. Following an eye examination, parents are entitled to a voucher towards the cost of any glasses or contact lenses prescribed. The value of the voucher will be determined by the prescription needed.
Most optical practices are able to offer a range of good quality, low cost frames for children.
For further information on more common childhood sight defects such as squint, please refer to the relevant Eyecare Information Service fact sheets, These are available from many opticians.