Regular Eye Exams Help Set Your Child Up for Success
Children’s eyes change and develop continuously. But children aren’t always aware there’s something wrong with their eyesight. They may simply believe how they see is typical or cannot properly articulate what’s wrong to their parents.
Undiagnosed vision problems can severely impact your child’s overall development. From language skills and social skills to reading and playing, if your child struggles with a vision problem, they will have to work harder at learning and growing than their peers.
Common Symptoms of Vision Problems in Kids
If you notice your child exhibiting any of the following behaviours, we recommend booking an appointment with one of our optometrists for an eye exam:
- Frustration with learning
- Irritability or short attention span
- Red, itchy, or watery eyes
- Light sensitivity
- Constant eye turning
- Squinting, rubbing, or covering their eye(s)
- Excessive blinking
- Holding objects too close
- Avoiding books & television
How Often Should Children Have Eye Exams?
The Canadian Association of Optometrists provides a general guideline for children’s eye exam frequency. This guideline is meant for children who are low risk and do not have increased chances of vision problems (such as having diabetes).
If you notice any changes in your child’s behaviour or obvious symptoms like crossed eyes, please bring your child in for an exam regardless of their last visit.
- Infants and toddlers (birth to 9 months): Infants should have their first eye exam between 6 and 9 months.
- Preschool children (2 to 5 years): Preschool children should have at least one eye exam between 2 and 5 before entering kindergarten.
- School-age children (6 to 18 years): Children between the ages of 6 and 18 should have an eye exam annually to promote eye health and visual development.
Good Vision Is Crucial for Learning Development
Children who suffer from undiagnosed eye conditions can struggle to keep up to their classmates, ending up frustrated and disinterested with school. Many parents say they notice improvements in their child’s behaviour and performance in school after identifying and treating their vision issues.
Children’s Eye Exams Are Covered in Alberta
The Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) provides annual coverage for regular eye exams to children aged 18 and under.
All patients aged 5 and under also get a FREE pair of sunglasses. It’s never too early to begin protecting our eyes from UV exposure.
Schedule your child’s eye exam today.
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Find Us In Bonnyville & St. Paul
Bonnyville
Find us on the corner of Main & 52nd Street, across from Westline Autowash.
- 5201 50 Avenue
- Bonnyville, AB T9N 2G6
- Phone: 780-826-4437
- Fax: 780-826-4267
- Monday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
- Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
- Thursday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Friday: 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM
- Saturday: Closed
- Sunday: Closed
St. Paul
You can find us on 51st Avenue, next to the Fire Hall.
- 4916 51 Avenue
- St. Paul, AB T0A 3A0
- Phone: 780-645-3790
- Fax: 780-645-2830
- Monday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
- Thursday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Friday: 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM
- Saturday: Closed
- Sunday: Closed
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Our Blog
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When Should My Child Have Their First Eye Exam?
The Alberta Optometric Association recommends that children have their first comprehensive eye exam between 6 and 9 months of age, the second between 2 and 5 years old, and then every year after that. However, if your child is exhibiting any symptoms of vision problems or has a family history of certain eye conditions, they may need to have their first eye exam earlier. […]
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