BACK-TO-SCHOOL RUSH: MANY CHILDREN MISSING OUT ON VITAL FIRST EYE TEST
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Around 75,000 children across the UK, don’t get routine school vision checks (1)
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Research from Asda reveals that over a third of parents didn’t know children should have their first eye test before starting school and nearly 7 in 10 admit it’s not on their back-to-school checklist (2)
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Asda turns the weekly shop into a fun reminder for busy parents to get kids’ vision classroom-ready
As the school bell gets ready to ring, many children could be starting term with vision problems no one has spotted yet.
NHS guidelines (3) recommend that children have their first eye test aged four to five before starting school, and then every one to two years as recommended by their optometrist. Yet research from Asda (2) reveals that nearly one in five UK parents (23%) of 4 - 10-year-olds have never taken their child for an eye test.
And in some regions, schools don’t routinely check children’s eyesight at all, according to the British and Irish Orthoptic Society (BIOS), leaving it to parents to book tests independently.
To make life a little easier for busy parents, Asda is prompting families to get a free NHS funded children’s eye test at an Asda Opticians, all while doing the weekly shop, helping kids see clearly and stay classroom ready.
Nearly seven in 10 (69%) UK parents admit eye tests aren’t at the top of their back-to-school checklist. Busy schedules (37%), finding appointments outside school and work hours (30%), uncertainty about whether a test is needed (22%), and cost worries (16%) all get in the way.
And more than a third (36%) didn’t know children should have their first eye test around school-start age. On top of that, 17% of parents said they wouldn’t feel confident spotting signs of vision problems, while 22% weren’t even sure if their child needed one at all.
Stuart Laird, Superintendent Optometrist and Head of Optical at Asda Opticians, says: “We know the back-to-school period is a busy one and so we wanted to find a way to make it easy and fun to remind everyone of the importance of children’s eye health and vision. Our optometrists, dispensing opticians and store colleagues are here to support patients and their families, making the whole process simple, quick, and stress-free, helping ensure every child has clear, healthy eyesight for the classroom, all while doing the weekly shop.”
All children under 16 are entitled to free NHS-funded eye tests. At Asda Opticians, parents can also choose from a wide range of children’s frames, including popular characters like Barbie, Batman, Superman and Harry Potter, with thinner lenses, scratch-resistant and anti-reflective coatings included at no extra cost. To be able to provide exactly what is needed for children, with no cost to their family is something Asda are incredibly proud to offer and demonstrates our commitment to providing truly accessible eyecare for UK families. Prescription sunglasses are also available from just £16, and appointments are available outside of school hours and at weekends. Children under 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Asda makes it easy for busy families as parents can get their child’s eyes tested at their local Asda Opticians while ticking off the back-to-school shop.
Max Halford, Clinical and Policy Director at Association of British Dispensing Opticians, adds: “Good vision is the foundation of learning and confidence. Children’s eyesight isn’t always checked at school, and screenings aren’t the same as a full eye test. Starting school with undiagnosed vision problems can affect reading, writing, and attention, so a simple eye test before term starts can make a real difference. If your child does need glasses, a dispensing optician is trained to advise on the best frame and lenses for their prescription requirements and to take accurate measurements to ensure your child has the best vision possible.”
1 The British and Irish Orthoptic Society (BIOS), June 2025
2 OnePoll survey of 1,000 UK adult parents of children aged 4-10 years old conducted on behalf of Asda in August 2025