Children's eye tests in St Kilda

Friendly, thorough and built for kids.

Kids don’t know what they don’t know. If they’ve only ever seen the world a bit blurry, they assume that’s just what the world looks like. That’s exactly why regular children’s eye tests matter – one in five kids under twelve in Australia has a vision condition like short-sightedness, long-sightedness or astigmatism and it can quietly affect how they’re doing at school long before anyone connects the dots.

At St Kilda Eyecare, we make kids’ eye tests relaxed and age-appropriate, so even the youngest and most wriggly patients feel comfortable.

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When should I have my kid's eyes tested?

6 months – 1 year: First check if there are any concerns (tracking, fixation, early eye turn)
Age 3: First full comprehensive exam recommended (lazy eye, turned eye, refractive error) Before school (4–5): Full exam before starting prep (reading readiness, binocular vision)
Age 6–12: Every year (myopia onset and progression, reading vision)
Teens (12–18): Every 1–2 years (myopia progression, screen strain)
Any age: As soon as any of the signs below show up

Signs your child may
need an eye test

Children often don’t realise they have a vision problem – it’s simply the only way they’ve ever seen the world. That’s why it’s so important for parents to know what to look for. If your child shows any of the following signs, book a children’s eye test as soon as possible:

At Home

Sitting very close to the TV
Holding books or devices too close
Squinting or closing one eye
Frequent eye rubbing or blinking
Complaints of headaches or tired eyes
One eye turning in or out

At School

Difficulty reading the whiteboard
Losing their place while reading
Avoiding reading or avoiding sport
Short attention span or frustration
Falling behind peers academically
Covering or tilting their head to see

Remember: many children pass school vision screenings and still have a significant vision problem. School screenings only test distance vision and don’t assess how well the eyes work together, track or focus up close. A comprehensive children’s eye test at St Kilda Eyecare checks all of these and more.

What to expect at your child's eye test

We keep it relaxed, age-appropriate and genuinely kid-friendly – even for pre-schoolers. Here’s what a typical appointment involves:

1. Welcome & history

We’ll ask about your child’s health history, any concerns you’ve noticed at home, and whether there’s a family history of vision problems. There’s no need to prepare – just share whatever’s on your mind.

2. Vision acuity (clarity of sight)

We check how clearly your child can see at different distances, using child-friendly charts (including picture-based charts for pre-readers). This tests for myopia (short-sightedness), hyperopia (long-sightedness), and astigmatism.

3. Eye teaming & tracking

We assess how well the two eyes work together and move as a team. Poor eye teaming is one of the most common causes of reading difficulty in children but is frequently missed by school screenings.

4. Focusing ability

We test how well your child’s eyes adjust focus between near and far – important for switching between a book and the whiteboard.

5. Eye health examination

Using specialised equipment, we examine the health of the retina, optic nerve, and eye structures. We check for signs of conditions such as amblyopia (lazy eye) and strabismus (turned eye).

6. Colour vision & depth perception

Where relevant, we also assess colour vision and depth perception, which can impact learning and physical activities.

7. Results & recommendations

We’ll explain what we found in plain language and recommend next steps – whether that’s glasses, a monitoring plan, or a referral to a specialist if needed. Most appointments take 30–45 minutes.

Age-by-Age Guide

Protecting your kid's eyes day to day

Encourage outdoor play – real protection against myopia and eye disease
Load up on leafy greens, fish and colourful fruit
UV-protective sunglasses outdoors, and aim for at least 90 minutes outside daily (yes, even overcast days)
Limit screen time and build in regular breaks from close-up tasks
Follow the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, a 20-second break looking 20 feet away

Myopia - did you know?

Myopia (short-sightedness) is showing up earlier than ever, with screen time and less outdoor play playing a role. If your child is between 6 and 12, annual checks really matter – this is when myopia tends to progress fastest.

We have a dedicated approach to slowing myopia progression, including Ortho-K lenses, soft contact lens options and lifestyle strategies.

Book your child's eye test

Give them the best shot at seeing and learning – clearly.

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Children's eye health FAQs

Does my child need glasses or contact lenses?

Glasses may be needed for short-sightedness, long-sightedness or astigmatism. Contacts are an option from around age 6, especially for sport or if your kid just doesn’t want to wear glasses. We assess lifestyle, eye health and maturity before recommending the right path.

What are the most common childhood eye conditions?

Myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, amblyopia (lazy eye) and strabismus (turned/crossed eyes). Regular tests catch these early and support healthy development.

How can I best protect my child's eyes?

Outdoor play, a nutrient-rich diet, UV-protective sunglasses, limited screen time, and regular breaks from close-up tasks all help.

What if there's a family history of vision problems?

Family history of myopia, glaucoma or strabismus raises your child’s risk. If it runs in the family, we would recommend starting checks earlier and monitoring more closely.

When should my child have their first eye exam?

We recommend a first comprehensive test around age 3, and again before starting school. Early tests catch things like lazy eye or a turned eye while they’re easiest to treat.

What are the signs my child may need glasses?

Squinting, frequent eye rubbing or blinking, headaches, holding things too close, or trouble seeing the whiteboard. Any of these — book a test.

What's the advice on screen time and kids' eyes?

The 20-20-20 rule (every 20 minutes, 20 seconds looking 20 feet away), limiting recreational screen time, keeping screens at eye level, and encouraging daily outdoor time.

Are school vision screenings enough?

No – they’re limited to distance vision and don’t check eye health or how well the eyes work together. A comprehensive test is the only way to properly rule things out.