Data suggests only 5% of children under five had an eye test in 2025

Analysis of UK eye test data estimates that around 5% of the total population of children aged five years and under had an eye test in 2025.

A new public eye health campaign has been launched to increase awareness of the importance of taking children for an eye test before they start school – highlighting that undetected eye conditions in early childhood can mean missing the crucial window for early intervention for conditions like amblyopia.

Eye care professionals have been encouraged to support and promote the campaign by displaying posters in practices and sharing the social media assets.

The campaign has been launched by the Association of Dispensing Opticians (ABDO), The College of Optometrists, Boots Opticians, and Specsavers.

Denise Voon, clinical adviser at the College of Optometrists, highlighted that the professional body’s guidance recommends children attend for their first eye test at around three to four years old, and then every one to two years or as advised.

The data for children under the age of 16 was found to be more encouraging, with between 39.7% and 46.1% of this population estimated to have had an eye test in 2025.

An additional survey of parents and legal guardians of children aged 0-11 found that one in three parents (29%) had never taken their child to an optometrist for a full eye test, however, 90% of parents with children under 12 have taken their child for a routine dental check-up.

The survey found that 53% of children who do not wear glasses have never had a professional eye test, while 30% of parents of children who don’t wear glasses said they had no plans to ever book an eye test.

Dr Alicia Thompson, research director at the Association of British Dispensing Opticians, said: “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.”

Thompson highlighted the role of dispensing opticians in ensuring spectacles fit a child’s developing features, feel comfortable, suit their lifestyle, and are accurately fitted.

A common misconception was that children need to be able to read to have an eye test, with the survey finding 30% of people believed this to be the case.

Less than half of parents polled (48%) are aware that amblyopia can often be reversed if it is detected before the child turns seven or eight.

Kyla Black, director of optical practice at Boots Opticians, shared that around 80% of what children learn is absorbed through vision “so detecting issues early can have a big impact on their confidence, learning, and life.”

Fight for Sight, FODO, the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness, and the Optical Suppliers Association, are supporting the campaign.

Peter Holland, CEO of IAPB, said: “Good vision is fundamental to a child’s development, learning and wellbeing, yet these findings suggest far too many children are starting school without ever having had an eye test.”

“Early childhood is a critical window for identifying and treating vision problems, and delaying an eye examination can mean missing opportunities to prevent lifelong impacts on a child’s education, confidence, and quality of life,” he continued.

Raising awareness among parents can help ensure children receive timely eye examinations, Holland said.

Reality TV star and parent, Olivia Bowen, is an ambassador for the campaign.