What glasses are worn for
Short sightedness: Causes blur mainly for things further away such as the TV or the board at school. This occurs because the eye is either larger or more powerful than average and light is focussed to a point before it gets to the sensing part of the eye (the retina).
Long sightedness: The eye is smaller or less powerful than average and light is focused to a point behind the retina. Children who are longsighted may be able to see fairly well as the eye is able to adjust the lens inside and refocus in cases of longsightedness. However, this requires the muscles in the eye to work harder and may result in eyestrain, headaches or even an inward turning eye.
Astigmatism: Creates blur both in the distance and close up. Astigmatism is caused by a difference in the curve of the very front of the eye creating two points of focus inside instead of one. This is similar to the curves in a rugby ball or lemon instead of a football or orange. If glasses are prescribed, they will combine the two focus points into one clear image.
Anisometropia: Means a difference in the focussing between the two eyes. One eye may be ‘easier’ for the child to use than the other. If left, this can cause one of the eyes to see better than the other and there is a risk that the vision in one eye won’t ever develop to the same standard as the other. This is where the term ‘lazy eye’ comes from.
This form entitles you to glasses provided at an opticians practice in the community. Glasses are not provided directly by the hospital. A range of glasses should be available that are covered completely by your voucher and free of charge to yourself. Other premium or specialised frames may also be available at the opticians for which there may be an additional charge. The value that your voucher entitles you to is dependent on the strength of your child’s glasses and facial characteristics.
The NHS and your voucher may allow for additional funding towards the cost of specialist-fitting frames where this is clinically required – for example, in cases where smaller glasses are needed for very young children and infants or for patients who have special facial characteristics where a regular glasses frame would not be suitable. Please check with the person who gives you your voucher or the optician in the community to see if you are entitled to this.
Children’s faces are very different from adults, and it is therefore crucial that the glasses are chosen with the help of a professional. We at highly recommend that you and your child are assisted by a Dispensing Optician who is a qualified expert in selecting and fitting glasses. Whilst you may not need an appointment to choose glasses, it is advisable to contact the opticians practice ahead of time to make sure that a qualified member of staff would be available to help, and to avoid the disappointment of multiple visits.
If you’d like to know more about the role of a Dispensing Optician, please visit https://
Depending on whether the glasses are for short sightedness, long sightedness, astigmatism or anisometropia (or a combination), the glasses will act differently, and your child may have a different experience to others or to your expectations.
In children, the brain is still developing and still trying to make sense of the world. Because of this, when your child puts their prescribed glasses on for the first time they may not see better straight away.
The intention of the glasses is to correct for any focusing abnormality of the eyes, however it may take a little longer for the brain to start catching up, making connections and for the vision to develop fully. There is evidence that a successful period of adaptation to glasses may fully correct certain visual deficits and prevent the need for additional treatment such as eye patching.
The more the glasses are worn, the more the vision should develop. We generally recommend full-time wear unless advised otherwise. Please contact the department however should your child be appearing to struggle with their glasses or if you have any queries or concerns.
It can sometimes come as a surprise to be told that your child needs glasses, as they may have seemed quite happy and to be getting along just fine! This is perfectly normal. One of the main reasons for this is that one of the eyes may be seeing well or have less of a focusing abnormality than the other. In this case, the child will be able to see the world well but may in fact only be using their better eye.
The glasses voucher form allows you to get the glasses repaired or replaced under the NHS. It is generally best practice to return to the same opticians that originally provided the glasses, but they may also be repaired / replaced by any opticians if this is not possible.
Please ask your optician to contact the department on 01253 953457 or email bfwh.
Please note that if additional charges are paid initially at the opticians for a more specialised / premium pair of glasses, then there may also be additional charges applied to any repair or replacement of these glasses outside what the NHS will contribute.
To prevent the glasses from breaking, try to:
- Use both hands to take the glasses off
- Try not to put the glasses down on the lens surface
- Keep the glasses in a case when not being worn.
Other than in exceptional cases (when there is a medical condition) the hospital is not able to provide vouchers for sunglasses. However, you can purchase prescription sunglasses for your child if you wish.
Prescription goggles can be ordered from many opticians and online. If the prescription is more complex or there is a difference between the right and left eye, then custom goggles may be better. The hospital voucher will not cover the cost of swimming goggles.
