Children’s Eye Tests in Cheadle — NHS, Private & Myopia Control

Independent specialist care at our Abra & Co Cheadle practice — 19 Wilmslow Road, Cheadle, SK8 1DW. Book online or call 0161 428 3717.

📞 Call 0161 428 3717 — book a consultation

Children’s eye tests at Abra & Co, Cheadle

NHS eye tests for under-16s are free. That covers the eye test itself and a basic NHS frame voucher. What it does not always cover is the time and patience a child needs — and that is the part we focus on. Our 30-minute paediatric eye tests are designed for kids: clear instructions, age-appropriate equipment, a parent in the room throughout. Picture charts and shape-matching for younger children, full letter charts for school-age. We see kids from across Cheadle, Bramhall, Cheadle Hulme, Stockport, Wilmslow, Handforth, Hale, and the wider South Manchester area.

When to bring your child in

NHS guidance recommends a first sight test by age 4 even if there are no obvious problems, and yearly through school years. Bring them sooner if you notice: squinting at school whiteboards or TV, holding books very close, frequent headaches, complaining about reading, struggling with smaller text in books they previously enjoyed, an obvious eye-turn or “lazy eye”, or any concern raised at a school vision screening. Children rarely complain about poor vision because it is their normal — they do not know what they should be seeing.

What happens at the appointment

We start with a chat — what does your child do day-to-day, screen use, sport, reading habits. We check the eyes objectively first (autorefraction — gives us a starting prescription without your child needing to answer questions), then refine using picture or letter charts. We check eye coordination (how the eyes work together — important for reading), eye health, and colour vision (typically once around age 7-8). For school-age kids we include an OCT retinal scan free of charge — the same imaging used to detect early signs of conditions including diabetes and high blood pressure.

If glasses are needed, we explain why, what they correct, when your child should wear them, and how to look after them. Paediatric frames from £19 (NHS voucher fully covers it), with kids-specific brands like Centrostyle, Nano Vista, and Lazer also stocked. Premium frames or specific tints may carry a small top-up over the NHS voucher.

MyoShield — childhood myopia management

If your child is becoming short-sighted and the prescription is changing each year, we offer myopia management through our MyoShield programme. This is private (not standard NHS) and uses MiSight 1-day contact lenses, OrthoK overnight rigid lenses, or low-dose atropine eyedrops to slow the rate of myopia progression. Untreated, childhood myopia often progresses through teen years and is linked to higher lifetime risks of retinal detachment, glaucoma, and myopic maculopathy. Early intervention significantly slows progression. We offer free first MyoShield consultations for children whose prescription has shifted more than -0.50 dioptres in 12 months.

Pricing

NHS eye tests under-16s: free. NHS frame voucher: covers a basic kids frame + standard lenses entirely. Top-up for premium kids frames (titanium, sports-impact): £15-£60 over voucher. Private eye test under-16s (only needed for extended testing): £30. OCT scan: included free. MyoShield consultation: free first consultation, then £450-£950/year depending on modality (MiSight, OrthoK, or atropine).

Frequently asked questions

What age can my child have their first eye test?

From any age. We test pre-school children using picture charts and objective measurements (autorefraction) that do not require them to read letters. Most parents bring children from 3-4 onwards.

Do you test children with autism, ADHD or sensory issues?

Yes. We schedule longer appointments (45-60 minutes), use a quieter side room when possible, and adapt the test to your child. If you let us know ahead of time, we can prepare a social-story style visual guide showing what will happen.

My child failed a school vision screening — what now?

School screenings are a quick first-line check, not a diagnosis. Bring the slip to your appointment; we do a full eye test and confirm whether a prescription is actually needed. About 1 in 4 referrals we see does not actually need glasses.

Can my child have contact lenses?

Yes, from around age 8 onwards for most kids. MiSight 1-day daily disposables are designed for children and have the additional benefit of slowing myopia progression. We do a longer first fitting so the child is confident inserting and removing the lens before they leave.

Visit us at our Cheadle practice

Abra & Co, 19 Wilmslow Road, Cheadle, SK8 1DW. We see patients from Cheadle, Bramhall, Cheadle Hulme, Stockport, Wilmslow, Handforth, Hale, Hale Barns, Alderley Edge, Heaton Mersey, Didsbury, Wythenshawe, Hazel Grove, Marple, Poynton, and across South Manchester. Free street parking on Wilmslow Road and adjacent side streets.

📞 Call 0161 428 3717 — book a consultation