At Murray Opticians Belfast, we provide specialist children’s eye care from as young as 2.5 years old. Carmel holds a Professional Certificate in Paediatric Eyecare, enabling thorough, expert assessment of your child’s vision and eye health. We use gold-standard tools, including the Kay Pictures Linear Crowded Book, to ensure accurate measurement of visual acuity and detect issues early. Children don’t have to be able to read, thanks to special charts and tests we can use instead. When they are ready, we can use letters to assess their vision.

For precise prescriptions, we may use cyclopentolate drops to gently relax the eye’s focusing system, particularly when hidden long-sightedness is suspected. Children’s eye exams are free under the NHS for anyone up to the age of 18 in full-time education., making it easy to access high-quality care.

Regular eye checks help detect short-sightedness, long-sightedness, astigmatism, lazy eye (amblyopia), and focusing difficulties, supporting healthy visual development, learning, and confidence at school. Our warm, friendly clinic ensures every child feels comfortable and confident during their appointment. They might even go home with a sticker!