Topsy and Tim EYFS initiative

A National Eye Health Week (NEHW) initiative from Eye Health UK and the College of Optometrists will see copies of the book – Topsy and Tim Have Their Eyes Tested – sent to school-based nurseries across England, in a drive to boost awareness about the importance of routine eye examinations for children.

Commenting on the need to increase health literacy around children’s eye examinations, David Cartwright, chair of the charity Eye Health UK, said: “With one in five children in the UK thought to be living with an undiagnosed vision problem that could hamper their learning and development, it’s important that we educate youngsters, their parents and carers about how to look after young eyes to ensure any issues are detected and treated early.

“This book is a great way for early years providers to teach children about their eyes as part of the Early Years Foundation Stage [EYFS] statutory framework for promoting physical health and healthy habits. It’s also a lovely book for parents and children to enjoy reading together too,” David added.

The nurseries receiving copies of the book, along with information about NHS eyecare services for children, are state-funded early years providers situated in some of the most deprived areas of England.

The charity said it hoped engaging children via these settings would support potentially disadvantaged youngsters and “help close the eye health inequality gap that leaves those from low-income households at greater risk of poor eye health” – citing research published in 2022 in Ophthalmology and Therapy.

Denise Voon, clinical adviser at the College of Optometrists, commented: “Learning about looking after your eyes from a young age is incredibly important. We recommend parents and carers take children for a regular eye test every two years from the age of three or four years old, or as their optometrist advises. The Topsy and Tim story helps reassure children that going for an eye test is nothing to worry about, and can be a fun experience.”

Books will be sent out this week to coincide with NEHW 2025 (22-28 September).