Eye clinic appointments: a guide for parents

Eye clinic appointments give you the opportunity to discuss your child's vision with the ophthalmologist and other eye clinic staff. It’s a good time to ask questions and raise any concerns you have.

During the appointment, you may be busy looking after your child while keeping up with the tests and conversations. It can help to write down your questions and concerns before you go, so you don't forget anything during your visit.

Your eye clinic may have an Eye Care Liaison Officer (ECLO) who can offer emotional and practical support after your appointment. ECLOs can answer questions, make sure that the correct referrals to education and social support services have been made, and give you information about benefits and additional services that may be available.

At the point of diagnosis, you may feel overwhelmed and uncertain. Some tests might need repeating several times and the results could take time to come through. Asking questions and setting expectations gives you a solid base that helps you build your understanding of your child’s vision and how to support them.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions, even if you’ve asked them before. As your child grows and their vision develops, you may find that the answer changes. Asking the same question to different professionals could give you a new answer based on their specialism that will help with understanding the bigger picture. Equally, you might have a new perspective on a professional’s answer as you learn more about your child’s vision impairment.

At the end of an appointment, ask for a written summary of any findings and for the time and date of your child’s next appointment.

You could ask:

• What’s my child’s condition called? Can you spell it for me?
• Could you explain the cause of the condition to me in simple terms?
• Do the results of my child’s vision tests meet the criteria for a Certificate of Vision Impairment (CVI)? Parents and carers of under-16s in Scotland should ask about criteria for the VINCYP Pathway.
• Can my child’s eye condition be registered with the Sensory Service?
• How does the condition affect my child's ability to see?
• Does this condition run in families? If so, can I speak to a genetic counsellor?
• Can anything be done to cure or help this condition? Is any special treatment necessary?
• Is there anything my child should avoid doing, such as rubbing their eyes, shaking their head or jumping onto a hard surface?
• Is the condition likely to get worse, get better or stay the same?
• When should my child be examined again?
• Where can we go for further advice and help? For example, could you give us the contact details for vision impairment professionals in the Sensory Service for social care and education support?
• Which voluntary organisations can help me?
• Is there anything else I can do to support my child’s vision development?
• Have you got any information on this subject that I can take home and read?

You could ask:

• Would glasses or contact lenses help my child? If so, when should they wear them?
• Are there any special low vision aids which could help my child to see things more clearly?
• In your opinion, how well can my child see: at a distance; to the side; in colour; in the dark; in bright light; when things are moving; and in 3D?
• What can my child and I do to help their vision develop?
• How can my child make the best use of their sight?
• Can you refer my child to a Qualified Teacher of children and young people with Vision Impairment (QTVI)? I'd like to discuss how my child's sight might affect them at school or nursery, and what sort of support should be put in place.

If you have any questions after the appointment, you could email these to your child’s eye clinic and ECLO to see if they’re able to answer them before your next visit.

It can also help to keep a note of questions, observations or changes you’ve noticed between appointments. You can take these with you to your next appointment and use them to talk to the professionals supporting your child. This helps you and the professionals around you to develop a shared understanding of your child’s vision.

You can find out more about specific eye conditions and looking after your eye health using our information about your eyes.

We’ve also got some advice for parents on Finding out about your child's eye condition.

You can also find out more about the professionals supporting you and what they do in Who does what in eye care?

Take a look at our other resources for children, young people and families at the point of diagnosis: Understanding your child’s vision.

RNIB provides free, specialist advice and support for children and young people with vision impairment – from birth to age 25 – and their families.

If you can’t find what you’re looking for, or you’d like more information about anything mentioned on this page, we can help.

We offer:

• family, early years and transitions support
• support for education professionals
• advice about accessible books, toys and learning materials
• opportunities to meet and talk with other families.

Please contact our Helpline on 0303 123 9999.