Children rarely complain about their vision. Not because there is nothing wrong, but because they have nothing to compare it to. If a child has always seen the world slightly blurred, or through one eye more than the other, it simply feels normal to them. This is why routine eye checks and parental awareness matter so much. Caught early, the vast majority of childhood eye conditions are highly treatable. Left undetected, some can lead to permanent vision loss.
As a consultant ophthalmologist with over 25 years of experience treating both adults and children, I want to share what parents most need to know: the signs to watch for, the conditions we treat most often, and when it is time to seek specialist advice.
Unlike adults, children do not know what normal vision looks like. They will not tell you the board at school is blurry. They will simply sit closer, or stop engaging with activities that require sharp distance vision. They may squint, cover one eye, or tilt their head without understanding why.
NHS sight tests are available free for children, and school vision screenings catch some problems. However, they do not test for everything. A child can pass a basic screening and still have a condition that warrants specialist review.
Trust your instincts as a parent. If something feels off, it is always worth getting it checked. Common signs to look out for include:
Age also matters. Some eye conditions are more common at specific developmental stages, which is why early screening at key ages, including the newborn check, one to two years, and school entry, is so important.
Close-up of a paediatric eye examination in progress at Clinica London.
Amblyopia occurs when the brain switches off input from one eye. This usually happens because of a significant difference in prescription between the two eyes, or because a squint is causing double vision. The eye itself may appear normal, but visual processing in that eye is suppressed. Without treatment, this can become permanent.
Treatment typically involves correcting any underlying refractive error with glasses, and encouraging the weaker eye to work harder, often by patching the stronger eye for periods each day. The earlier treatment begins, the better the outcome: a 2024 Lancet trial found that early patching achieved successful treatment in 67% of children, compared to 54% in those who had a longer period of spectacles-only wear first.1
A squint occurs when the eyes do not look in the same direction at the same time. It can be constant or intermittent, and may affect one or both eyes. Some squints are obvious; others are subtle and easy to overlook.
Squints are often associated with amblyopia, and both conditions need to be addressed together. Treatment options include glasses, patching, eye exercises, and in some cases surgery.
Myopia, or difficulty seeing clearly at a distance, is becoming increasingly common in children, and rates are rising. A 2025 meta-analysis in the British Journal of Ophthalmology found that global childhood myopia prevalence has increased from 24% to 36% over the past three decades, with projections suggesting it will affect nearly 40% of children worldwide by 2050.2 Genetics plays a role, but lifestyle matters too. Children who spend more time on screens and less time outdoors are at greater risk.
Myopia typically develops between the ages of six and thirteen, and can progress rapidly. While glasses or contact lenses correct vision, they do not slow progression. Specialist myopia management can help slow the rate of deterioration, which matters significantly for long-term eye health. High myopia in adulthood carries a greater risk of conditions such as retinal detachment and glaucoma.
One practical habit I recommend to parents is what I call the Blue Light Ban — reducing or eliminating screen use from around 6.30pm to 8am, particularly for children. Even a few evenings a week makes a difference.
Most modern devices have built-in night mode or blue light filter settings that can help during the times screens cannot be avoided entirely.
Equally important is time spent outside in natural daylight: I recommend at least two hours a day for children, as natural light plays a proven role in reducing the risk of myopia developing.
A 2024 meta-analysis found that increasing a child's outdoor time by around 76 minutes a day was associated with a 50% reduction in the risk of myopia onset.3 Reducing evening screen exposure and increasing outdoor time are two of the simplest things families can do to support healthy visual development.
Ptosis in children is not merely a cosmetic concern. If a drooping eyelid covers part of the pupil, it can interfere with normal visual development and lead to amblyopia. It may also cause children to tilt their head back in order to see under the lid, which can have postural consequences over time.
Surgical correction is often recommended for children with significant ptosis, timed carefully to protect vision development.
Itchy, red, watery eyes are common in children with allergies, particularly in spring and summer. While often manageable with antihistamine drops, some children develop more significant allergic eye disease that requires specialist input to prevent corneal damage.
If your child is regularly rubbing their eyes or showing persistent symptoms despite over-the-counter remedies, it is worth seeking further advice.
Eyelid conditions are among the most common reasons children are referred to us, and they are often underestimated. A chalazion is a small, firm lump on the eyelid caused by a blocked meibomian gland. It is not infectious, but it can be persistent and, if large enough, may press on the eye and affect vision. Styes are caused by a bacterial infection of the eyelash follicle and can be painful.
Blepharitis, a chronic inflammation of the eyelid margins, is particularly common in children and often underlies recurrent styes and chalazia. Research published in 2025 found that children under nine with chalazia had nearly double the prevalence of refractive amblyopia risk factors compared to the general population, reinforcing the importance of proper assessment rather than a wait-and-see approach.4
All three conditions are ones I see regularly in children at Clinica London and manage with a combination of lid hygiene advice, warm compresses, and where necessary, clinical treatment. If your child has a recurring lump on the eyelid, persistent red or crusty lid margins, or frequent styes, it is worth having them assessed rather than waiting for it to resolve on its own.
Mr Johnson Neo is presenting Allergic Eye Disease 101: When Should You Worry? on 19th March 2026 — a CPD-accredited lecture aimed particularly at optometrists, as well as GPs and allied health professionals.
We will be exploring the diagnosis and management of allergic eye disease in detail, including its interaction with dry eye and conditions like those discussed in this post.
A good optician is the right first port of call for many children's vision concerns, and NHS sight tests are free for children under 16. There are situations, however, where a referral to an ophthalmic specialist is warranted:
At Clinica London, we offer prompt appointments without long waiting lists, which matters when time is a factor in treatment outcomes for children.
We also have three specialist orthoptists at Clinica London who assess eye motility, visual acuity, and how the two eyes work together — an important part of the diagnostic picture for many childhood conditions.
Our consultant ophthalmologists work closely with our orthoptists: Miss Naomi Tan leads our strabismus assessments, Mr Johnson Neo sees children with myopia, and Miss Olver manages paediatric ptosis and eyelid conditions.
Miss Jane Olver, Founder and Medical Director, Clinica London.
If you have concerns about your child's vision, eye development or eyelid health, early assessment can make a real difference.
Book a consultation nowAt Clinica London, our approach to eye care is built around prevention, not just treatment. The earlier we see a child, the more options we have. Children's eyes are still developing throughout childhood, and in many cases the window for intervention is time-limited. I would always rather see a child and reassure a parent that all is well than have a condition go undetected until it becomes harder to treat. If you have any concerns about your child's vision or eye health, please do get in touch. We are here to help.
Miss Jane Olver is Founder and Medical Director of Clinica London, with over 25 years of experience in specialist ophthalmology including oculoplastic surgery and paediatric eye care. Read more about Miss Olver at Clinica London.
To book a paediatric eye consultation at Clinica London, contact us online or call us directly on 020 7935 7990.
Miss Jane Olver is Founder and Medical Director of Clinica London, with over 25 years of experience in specialist ophthalmology including oculoplastic surgery and paediatric eye care.
She works with children and families across a wide range of conditions, including ptosis, eyelid problems, squint-related concerns and broader paediatric eye health issues, with a strong focus on early diagnosis and preventive care.
To book a paediatric eye consultation at Clinica London, call 020 7935 7990 or book online.
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