Paediatric eyecare campaign planned
The campaign will encourage parents and carers to make eye tests a part of their children’s regular healthcare routine before they start school
Eyecare practitioners (ECPs) are being encouraged to refresh their knowledge, skills and confidence in paediatric eyecare ahead of a new sector-wide public awareness campaign launching on World Sight Day 2026 on 8 October.
Led by the College of Optometrists, ABDO, Specsavers and Boots Opticians – with support from FODO, Fight for Sight, the International Association for the Prevention of Blindness and the Optical Suppliers Association – the campaign will encourage parents and carers to make eye tests a part of their children’s regular healthcare routine from age three to four years old before they start school, helping to identify vision and eye health problems early and supporting lifelong healthy vision.
To help ECPs prepare, a dedicated children’s eye health CPD resource hub has been created on the College of Optometrists’ website, with a wide range of paediatric eyecare online learning and CPD resources provided by the College, ABDO, Specsavers and DOCET.
ABDO has also created a CPD and resource hub on its website – including details of its Level 7 Diploma in Paediatric Eyecare.
Denise Voon, clinical adviser at the College of Optometrists, said: “Children’s vision plays a vital role in their learning, development and wellbeing, yet many eye conditions can develop without obvious symptoms. As we prepare for our public awareness campaign, we want every optometrist to feel confident in delivering high-quality care for young patients. The College’s online paediatric learning resources make it easy to refresh clinical knowledge and practical skills and ensure practices are ready to welcome more children through their doors.”
Dr Alicia Thompson, ABDO research director, commented: “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. Appropriate frame selection and lens positioning are vital to ensure the prescription is delivered correctly. 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.
“ABDO is pleased to support this important initiative as part of the World Sight Day campaign. By encouraging more families to access sight tests for their pre-school children, while also highlighting the vital role of dispensing opticians in assessing and taking account of young children’s developing facial features when selecting and fitting spectacles, we can help ensure children receive the eyewear they need to benefit fully from good vision. Working together across the sector, we can help more children get the best possible start in life.”
Sarah Joyce, chair at FODO, added: “Every eye examination is an opportunity not only to detect and manage vision and eye health problems early, but also to encourage parents and carers to make regular eye tests part of their child’s routine healthcare. Establishing this habit from an early age helps ensure that eye conditions developing later in childhood are identified promptly, enabling timely intervention and the best possible outcomes for a child’s vision, learning and development. The good news is that eyecare is highly accessible, with opticians 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.”
The College’s Guidance for Professional Practice on examining younger children reminds optometrists that they should welcome patients of all ages.
Visit the children’s eye health CPD hub on the College of Optometrists’ website.