Children’s eye tests · Free on the NHS · Liverpool
Children’s eye tests in Liverpool, free on the NHS
An unhurried eye test for your child at Winstanley & Son, 252 Park Road, Dingle. Free for every child under 16 and for 16 to 18 year olds in full-time education. Free frames on the NHS voucher, designer frames if they want them, and Stellest lenses if their short-sightedness keeps getting worse. We explain everything to you and to them, and nobody is rushed out of the chair.
- ★★★★★213 five-star Google reviews
- Free NHS test and free frames
- Stellest myopia control fitted here
What a child’s eye test involves
Made for their age
Pictures and shapes for little ones, letters when they are ready. No child needs to read to have their eyes tested, and we take it at their pace.
More than “can they see the board”
We check how the two eyes work together, whether one is lazier than the other, focusing, and the health of the eye itself. Problems caught early are the ones that are easiest to fix.
You are in the room
You stay with your child throughout, and you leave knowing exactly what we found and what, if anything, needs doing next.
If they need glasses
Free frames on the NHS voucher
Every child who needs glasses gets an NHS optical voucher. We have a proper choice of children’s frames covered by it in full, so there is nothing to pay.
Designer frames if they want them
Older children and teenagers often want something more, and we stock designer frames in children’s sizes. The NHS voucher still comes off the price. Whatever they choose, it is fitted properly so it sits right and survives the playground, and adjustments are free.
Stellest lenses if short-sightedness keeps getting worse
Essilor Stellest lenses correct your child’s vision and slowed myopia progression by 67% on average in Essilor’s two-year trial. Fitted here on Park Road, with six-monthly checks.
“I’ve never been a fan of the big high street chains where you feel like just another number being pushed through the system. Winstanley was the complete opposite. The turnaround on my glasses was far faster than I expected, without compromising on quality.”
“Their technology to get your prescription spot on is like something from the future. No pushy suggestions to upgrade. Frames to suit every budget, and 0% payment plans without credit checks.”
Common questions
Children’s eye tests, answered
Are children’s eye tests free?
Yes. Every child under 16 gets a free NHS sight test, and so do 16 to 18 year olds in full-time education. There is nothing to pay for the examination.
At what age should a child have their first eye test?
Any age. A child does not need to know their letters; we use pictures, shapes and lights instead. The NHS recommends a check before they start school, and every year after that, or sooner if you notice anything.
What are the signs my child might need glasses?
Sitting close to the television, holding books or phones near their face, screwing up their eyes, headaches, rubbing their eyes, one eye turning in or out, or a school report that mentions the board. Many children show no signs at all, which is why the routine check matters.
Does the NHS help with the cost of glasses?
Yes. Children who need glasses get an NHS optical voucher towards the cost. We have frames that are covered by the voucher in full, and we tell you plainly which ones are and which are not.
My child’s prescription gets stronger every year. Is that normal?
It is common, but it is not something you just have to accept. Short-sightedness that keeps increasing can now be slowed with Essilor Stellest lenses. Ask us about it at the test.
How long does the test take?
Around 20 to 30 minutes. We take it at the child’s pace, explain what we are doing, and you stay in the room throughout.
Book your child’s test
252 Park Road, Dingle, opposite Tesco Extra, free parking. Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. Five minutes from Toxteth and Aigburth.
Or call 0151 726 0622
Written by Gavin Winstanley, who has been making eyewear on Park Road since 1998 and fits the varifocals himself. Last updated .