When should children see an optometrist?

Starting preschool or kindergarten can be a very exciting time in a child's life.  There is so much to see and do!  But imagine not being able to properly see stories that are being read or words or letters on a page?  The Eye See...Eye Learn® program wants to make sure that all parents are aware of what their program offers so that no child will experience difficulty learning due to vision problems.

The Eye See...Eye Learn® program provides comprehensive eye exams by local optometrists (or eye doctors) to junior kindergarten students in participating school regions. The eye exams are covered under provincial health insurance (or OHIP) when you show your child’s health card. This means that there is no out-of-pocket cost for the eye exam. If the child requires a pair of glasses, they will receive them FREE of charge courtesy of our participating sponsors.

The Eye See...Eye Learn® program was developed to raise awareness among parents of the importance of having their children's eyes checked upon starting school. Children, who cannot see the board, focus on a picture or follow words in a book may struggle to achieve their full learning potential. Vision problems can also impact their hand-eye coordination for physical activities and even impact their social development. In fact, 80 percent of learning comes directly through vision.

A few facts...

-Each year, fewer than 10 per cent of children have an eye exam before entering school, despite the fact that 25 per cent of all children have a vision problem significant enough to impair their ability to learn.  Eye exams can also detect asymptomatic, but potentially life-threatening, eye conditions.
-Five to 10 per cent of preschool children have an undetected vision problem
-Approximately 60 per cent of children with literacy problems have an undiagnosed vision problem
-80 per cent of all learning is visual,  so children who cannot see the board or focus on a picture or follow words in a book may struggle to achieve their full learning potential
-Vision problems can impact a child’s hand-eye coordination for physical activities and even their social development

To ensure Ontarians understand the importance of comprehensive eye examinations for children, the Ontario Association of Optometrists (OAO) has launched a video called Sarah’s Story and expanded the Eye See…Eye Learn® program.  Please make sure your children’s eyes are examined by a Doctor of Optometry before they begin kindergarten.

Click here to find a list of participating optometrists in your area.