Eye Exams Are Key to Your Child’s Success
Experts say approximately 80% of learning is visual. Whether it’s in the classroom or for basic developmental milestones, children rely on vision to absorb information and build new skills.
Many children don’t tell their parents or teachers that they can’t see clearly because they don’t know that their vision isn’t normal. Other times, children are too young to be able to clearly communicate what they can and cannot see.
Scheduling regular eye exams for your child makes sure they have the visual skills and eye health they need to learn, grow, and succeed.
Request an appointment for your child today.
When Do Children Need Eye Exams?
The Canadian Association of Optometrists recommends children have their first eye exam between the ages of 6 and 9 months old. They should also have at least one more exam between the ages of 2 and 5 years old.
Once your child starts attending school, they need an eye exam every year. This helps to make sure that they do not experience a vision problem that goes undetected and affects their ability to learn.
What to Expect From Your Child’s Eye Exam
A comprehensive eye exam will focus on 3 primary areas: eye health, eyesight, and vision.
During the eye health portion of the exam, we will evaluate the physical structures of your child’s eyes. Looking for physical signs of disease allows us to diagnose issues before they exhibit visual symptoms.
When you picture an eye exam, you’re probably thinking of the eyesight portion. This is when we test your child’s distance vision and evaluate their eyes’ ability to gather information. We will most likely determine whether your child needs glasses during this part of the exam.
Eyesight describes your child’s ability to gather visual information effectively. Vision, on the other hand, describes your child’s ability to process, interpret, and react to this information. We will make sure your child’s visual system works as a cohesive team, allowing them to process visual information accurately.
How Vision Impacts Learning
When children reach their elementary years, their sight plays a vital role in their learning. From reading whiteboards, books, and diagrams, vision is crucial to a child’s academic success.
Additionally, visual skills play a role in the development of hand-eye coordination, gross motor and fine motor skills. Kids need strong visual skills to excel in sports, play active games with friends, and participate in many extracurricular activities, from hockey and dance to painting or reading music.
Myopia Control to Preserve Vision
Myopia, or nearsightedness, is a condition that alters the way light refracts in the eye. As a result, a child with myopia can’t see far-away objects very clearly. Without treatment, myopia gets worse as the child gets older.
Through a process called myopia control, we can slow the progression of myopia. As a result, your child may maintain more of their distance vision than they would otherwise. This also helps to reduce serious eye health complications that can result from high myopia in adulthood.
Set Your Child Up for Success Through Healthy Vision
Vision helps children learn, and learning builds future leaders. That’s why Saskatchewan’s government covers the cost of an annual eye exam for every child under 18.
Eye exams are completely pain-free and take less than an hour. While some children may be apprehensive about visiting a clinic, our optometrists treat each child with compassionate care. In fact, many kids enjoy the experience so much they’re excited for their next visit to our clinic!
Book their next eye exam with us today.
Frequently Asked Questions About Children’s Eye Exams
Following Canadian Association of Optometrists guidelines, school-aged children between 6 and 18 should receive an eye assessment every year. Younger children should receive a first exam between 6–9 months of age and another exam between the ages of 2 and 5.
We encourage you to book a comprehensive children’s eye exam with Brighton Eyecare to stay on top of your child’s growing vision.
Common red flags include frequent eye rubbing, squinting, head tilting, sitting unusually close to screens, or losing their place while reading. If you observe any of these behaviours, book a comprehensive children’s eye exam with our team so we can thoroughly assess their visual development.
No, lazy eye (amblyopia) does not resolve on its own and requires early professional management such as prescription lenses, patching, or vision therapy. Detecting amblyopia early provides a strong opportunity for visual improvement.
Yes, Saskatchewan Health Services covers annual eye examinations for all residents under 18 years of age with a valid Saskatchewan Health Card. Protect your child’s visual health at no out-of-pocket cost by booking a children’s eye exam with our clinic.
Infants should undergo their very first eye assessment between 6 and 9 months of age to evaluate eye alignment and structural health, followed by another exam between ages 2 and 5. To support your child’s visual milestones, book a children’s eye exam with our friendly team.
School screenings only test basic distance vision and frequently miss underlying issues with eye coordination, focusing ability, or retinal health. We invite you to book a comprehensive children’s eye exam to evaluate your child’s complete ocular health and visual skills.
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Find us in Brighton Marketplace, near the Shoppers Drug Mart and the Pet Valu. There is plenty of parking available.
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- Phone: 306-978-2993
- Fax: 306-978-2990
- Email: becadmin@yxevision.ca
After Hours Emergencies: 306-371-9911
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