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The Children’s and Young People's Eye Service monitors and treats children with reduced vision and related eye conditions.
We offer an accessible, and child friendly service for children and young people aged 0-16 (up to 19 for children from local Severe Learning Difficulties schools).
We provide an eye assessment, diagnosis, and treatment for children and young people where there are concerns regarding reduction of vision in one or both eyes (amblyopia), squints, eye movements problems, binocular vision problems, and where there is a strong family history of squints, amblyopia or glasses from age 5 or under.
We are also able to offer assessment and treatment for patients with visual processing difficulties, and children or young people with special educational needs (SEN) and learning disabilities. The care and treatment is tailored to the needs of the patients and their families.
The patients seen in the clinics are typically under the age of 8 years old. After this age, they are usually discharged to the care of a high street optician.
The service is provided at two locations: St Albans Health and Wellbeing Centre and Marlowes Health and Wellbeing Centre.
The eye team is Allied Health Professional (AHP) led and comprises four orthoptists and two paediatric optometrists.
- Address: St Albans Health and Wellbeing Centre (Children's Eye Service) - St Albans Marlowes Health & Wellbeing Centre (Children's Eye Service) - Hemel Hempstead, St Albans and Hemel Hempstead, AL1 3JE
- Reception phone number: judy.bee1@nhs.net, catherine.stewart22@nhs.net hct.cypspecialistservices@nhs.net or telphone 01923 470680 option 2
- Who is eligible for the service
- When to seek a referral
- What will happen at your appointment
- Useful information
- Patient experience
- Contact the service
Who is eligible for the service
Children and young people aged 0-16 and children and young people up to 19 from local SLD schools, who have a GP registered in St Albans, Harpenden, Hemel Hempstead, Berkhamsted and Tring.
When to seek a referral
Please contact your health visitor of GP if there are any indicators of reduced eye sight in your child. These can include:
- squint,
- excessive rubbing or blinking,
- clumsiness,
- complaints of headaches (particularly as the day goes on),
- closing one eye,
- tilting or turning their head to see better,
- sitting close to the TV or holding books close,
- difficulties recognising objects/people in the distance.
Early referral of a suspected eye problem is preferred. Young children respond to treatment more quickly and are more likely to achieve good results.
An immediate referral is necessary when a baby appears not to be able to see, or when a constant, obvious defect is present, such as squint, ptosis (drooping eyelid), nystagmus (eye wobble or shake) or iris and pupil defects.
Most babies under 4-6 months old squint intermittently in the first few months while learning to co-ordinate the eyes. If a squint or turn of the eyes is present after this period, a referral to the service should be made for assessment.
If a white pupil is observed, for example whilst taking photos/videos, an urgent referral should be made via the GP or health visitor.
Children are also screened by the school nursing team during their first year at school when they are age 4 or 5.
The team use a picture vision test to assess the vision in each eye. Any child who doesn’t manage to meet the threshold level of vision, will be referred for assessment by the orthoptists. Even those who already have glasses will be advised of the outcome of the test, unless screening has been declined.
In general, children under 6 perform better in a paediatric eye clinic setting and we would recommend a referral to our clinic.
What will happen at your appointment
The initial appointment will be with the Orthoptist which typically takes between 20-30 minutes. They will ask the patient to look at toys, pictures, and letters if able to. The assessment is very child friendly, and the staff have a very gentle approach.
An Orthoptist who is trained in the assessment and treatment of visual problems affecting the normal development of vision and the co-ordination of the eyes and eye movements in children.
The Orthoptist may arrange for your child to see one of our specialist paediatric optometrists, who is trained to check the health of the eyes and assess whether glasses (spectacles) are required, also known as a refraction.
A refraction usually involves the use of eye drops which dilate the pupils and eliminate focusing at near for a more accurate assessment. On sunny days it might be more comfortable to wear a hat or sunglasses afterwards. The drops typically wear off after a few hours. Please contact the service if the pupils remain dilated for more than 24 hours.
For guidance on how to put the eye drops in your child's eyes, watch this video.
For more information on the Cyclopentolate eye drop solution, read this patient information leaflet.
If glasses are required, the Optometrist will give a special glasses voucher which is then taken to a High Street Optician for the glasses to be made.
Useful information
Parents and carers are encouraged to contact the service and their high street optician, if they have any problems or concerns about the glasses being lost or broken.
Children can be referred on to a tertiary hospital for further tests or for squint surgery.
Visit the NHS website for information on the treatment of lazy eye.
For information on squints, go to Squint Clinic.
Parents seeking information about screen time and how to keep their children's eyes healthy, can find FAQs at the Association of Optomertrist's website.
Have you heard of the Local Offer? If you are a young person with, or have a child with special educational needs and disabilities, (SEND) the Local Offer is Hertfordshire’s central source of information for SEND services and support.
Visit the Hertfordshire Local Offer website, for an easily accessible one stop shop.
Patient experience
If you would like to share your story, please contact the Patient Experience team on 01707 388036 or email hct.patientexperienceteam@nhs.net
We would also love to hear about your experience on our service, please complete a survey
We encourage patients and their families to comment on the friends and family test. There is a QR code in the clinic and texts are also sent with links to the questionnaire. The service is always keen to improve and develop, and feedback is very positive.
Contact the service
Email hct.cypspecialistservices@nhs.net phone 01923 470680 option 2. Alternatively, you can contact the Service Leads:
Judy Bee judy.bee1@nhs.net
Catherine Stewart catherine.stewart22@nhs.net
