Children’s Vision
ACO Eye Health provides comprehensive eye care for children aged 0-17 years.
All Medicare eligible consultations are bulk billed for children.
Importance of eye testing
Eye disorders are the most common long-term health issues experienced by children. Early detection is essential for intervention and correction. Children may not realise they have an eye problem or report blurry vision.
All Medicare-eligible consultations for children under 18 years are bulk billed. This includes services provided at all ACO Eye Health locations, our advanced Myopia and Binocular Vision services, and our dedicated Children’s Clinic located within ACO Eye Health Carlton.
Signs that can indicate a vision problem
Children may report blurred or double vision, sore or tired eyes, headaches or words moving on the page. Other signs include:
Blurred or double vision
Sore or tired eyes
Headaches
Eye rubbing
Squinting
Sitting too close to things (such as TV)
Holding a book very close
Difficulty reading
Night vision problems
One or both eyes look different or abnormal
Tilting the head
When to get your child’s eyes tested
- Children should have a full eye test with an optometrist before starting school
- At regular intervals throughout school life
- If there is a family history of eye conditions
- If they notice a change in their vision or you think there is an issue.
Our children’s vision services
Our team has extensive knowledge in all areas of children’s vision problems, providing general and advanced children’s eye care. Our eye exams include assessment and advice on:
- Visual aids (glasses or contact lenses)
- Diagnosis and management of turned or lazy eyes
- Binocular vision
- Myopia control
- Complete eye health
ACO Eye Health’s dedicated children’s clinic, based at our Carlton location, also offers advanced care for children with additional needs or requiring complex assessments.
Almost all ACO Eye Health appointments are bulk billed for children under the age of 18. Select services such as visual perception skill testing and contact lens fittings are not bulk billed.
Myopia
Myopia (short-sightedness) occurs when the eyeball grows too quickly during childhood. Myopia is increasingly common, affecting approximately 1 in 5 children, and can pose a significant risk to vision later in life. Early intervention is essential to protect a child’s eye health. ACO Eye Health follows the latest research and provides personalised treatment to best support each child’s needs.
ACO Eye Health offers an advanced myopia services at our Carlton, Hume and Knox locations. General myopia services are available at all locations.
Learn about our advanced Myopia ClinicVision training
We provide evidence-based treatment plans for visual disorders that can be managed with vision training. In children, this includes conditions affecting binocular vision, convergence, and accommodative systems.
Caring for children with additional needs
Our skilled optometry team is trained to support children with developmental or health challenges, as well as additional needs such as autism spectrum disorder.
Learn more