Eye checks for children

At birth your baby will be screened for several serious eye conditions. If there are any concerns, they will be referred to an eye specialist. Your Well Child/Tamariki Ora provider will check your child's vision at regular intervals from 6 weeks to 5 years of age. 

The B4 School Check is the final Well Child/Tamariki Ora check before your child starts school. Most of the check is carried out by a B4 School Check nurse, but vision and hearing technicians will test your child’s eyesight and hearing. The eye check screens for lazy eye (amblyopia). 

To find out how to contact your local B4 School Check coordinator, visit the B4 School Check website(external link) or phone Plunketline on 0800 933 922.

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Your child will have their distance vision checked at school when they are 11 or 12. If the screening picks up a vision problem, your child will be referred for a full assessment.

It is important to remember that screening tests will not pick up all vision problems, and may not tell you if your child needs glasses. 

Please contact your healthcare provider for advice if you or your child’s education provider has concerns regarding their eyesight. Symptoms of visual problems may include frequent headaches, screwing eyes up or tilting head to see, clumsiness or difficulties with reading and learning.

Glasses subsidy

The Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora has a child spectacle subsidy(external link)(external link) for glasses, managed through Whaikaha Ministry for Disabled People. 

The spectacles (glasses) subsidy can help with the costs of your child’s:

• examination
• frames
• lenses
• eye patches
• repairs.

You may be eligible for the subsidy if you or your child has a current community services card (Work and Income) or a high use health card (Health NZ | Te Whatu Ora).