Parents warned to get children's eyes tested at six

Children’s eyes should be checked before they are six according to a new campaign launched by Optical Express.

The company found six years old to be the mean age for diagnosing conditions like lazy eye and colour deficiency in children.

‘There is increasing evidence that growing use of smartphones, computers and tablets is placing children’s eyesight under strain,’ said senior optometrist Noelle Hamilton.

‘If left untreated, eye conditions such as lazy eye can extend into adulthood.’

Hamilton also warned parents that vision checks carried out in school are not as comprehensive as eye exams. She said: ‘Going for an eye test should be treated the same as going to the dentist, an important part of your child’s regular health care.’