Child Eye Exams and Pediatric Eye Care

Why is it important for my child to have an eye exam before starting school?

• In Alberta, 1 in 4 (i.e., 25%) of children begin grade one with an undiagnosed vision or eye health problem.
• Vision problems can challenge early learning, especially during their first years of school.
• 80 per cent of learning is visual for the first 12 years of a child’s life, so healthy, clear vision is critical.
• Good grades are a product of good vision!

When should my child have their first comprehensive eye exam?

• The Alberta Association of Optometrists recommends children have their first comprehensive eye exam between six and nine months of age.

Do children need to know their ABCs and 123s before having an eye exam?

• No, it is recommended that children have their first comprehensive eye exam at just six months of age.
• For preschool children, optometrists typically uses objective techniques such as shapes and pictures to determine focusing characteristics. They will also assess your child’s eye health and vision.
• eye-deology Vision Care possesses a state-of-the-art handheld autorefractor and eye imager that enables evaluations of even the youngest and most active children.

What is the cost of a child eye exam in Edmonton?

• Alberta Health Care covers the cost of annual comprehensive eye examinations for all children (that are residents of Alberta), until they turn 19.
• All Albertans are also covered for any medically necessary exams, such as red eyes, eye infection, injury or inflammation of the eye and eyelid.
• An Alberta Health Card must be provided for health care services to be covered by Alberta Health Care.

What issues can be detected during a comprehensive eye exam?

• Refractive errors, such as nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism, can all be corrected with eyeglasses.
• Lazy eye (amblyopia)is weak or low vision in one eye that results from an uncorrected prescription during the early years of development. It is the leading cause of preventable vision loss. If detected and treated early, before the age of six, it will often resolve completely.
• Crossed eyes (strabismus) is when an eye turns in or out. It is a muscle condition in which a child’s eyes are not in alignment with each other. Coordination of a child’s eyes and their ability to work together begins to develop in infancy. A child will not outgrow strabismus without treatment; in fact, the condition may become worse. The brain eventually disregards the image from one eye to avoid double-vision, which in turn causes vision loss.
• Eye coordination is the ability of both eyes to work together as a team. Good eye coordination keeps the eyes in proper alignment, but a minor misalignment of your child’s eyes can cause symptoms like double vision, fatigue and headaches.

Why would I not know if my child has a vision or eye health problem?

• Many vision and eye health conditions have no symptoms and can only be detected through an optometrist-performed comprehensive eye exam.
• Even if children are experiencing symptoms, they may not realize it because they assume the way their world looks is "normal".

How can a vision problem affect a child's ability to learn?

• Children who have poor vision often find it challenging to focus on their work. In many cases, they are misdiagnosed with a learning or behavioural disability.
• Up to 60 percent of children who are initially diagnosed with learning disabilities have undetected vision problems.
• Corrective eyewear and vision therapy are often needed to address childhood vision issues.

Why should we see an optometrist when my family physician has already determined that my child has 20/20 vision?

• The difference between vision and eye health is perhaps the most misunderstood aspect of optometry and eye care. Vision and eye health are related, but not the same.
• While a 20/20 vision score is impressive, it does not necessarily mean that your child possesses all of the vision skills required for healthy learning and development.
• The purpose of comprehensive eye exams is to do considerably more than determine if a child sees well. They also help Doctors of Optometry diagnose, treat, and prevent diseases and disorders affecting the eyes and visual systems.

Why should we see an optometrist when my child received a sight test a school?

• A sight test is not the same as a comprehensive eye exam.
• Only a trained and licensed professional doctor of optometry or ophthalmology can perform a comprehensive eye exam. Optometrists and ophthalmologists have the education, training, and knowledge to examine, diagnose, treat, manage, and help prevent diseases and disorders affecting the visual system, the eye and related structures, check an individual’s prescription, and prescribe eyewear.

Does Alberta Have A Child Eyewear Program?

• Alberta Health Care covers the cost of comprehensive eye exams for all resident children until they turn 19.
• The provincial Eye See…Eye Learn program supplements that coverage by providing free eyeglasses to kindergarten-aged children who require a prescription. Learn more about Eye See...Eye Learn here.
• The program is administered by the Alberta Association of Optometrists. Children's eye exams are funded by Alberta Health, and the free eyeglasses, lenses and cases are provided by partners of the Alberta Association of Optometrists.
• You do not need to complete a form. Just book an appointment with your doctor of optometry and tell them you want to participate in the Eye See...Eye Learn program.

Who is eligible for the Eye See…Eye Learn Program?

• Kindergarten students are eligible to participate in the program from September until they begin grade one.

Do the eyeglasses made available through the Eye See…Eye Learn program have to be my child’s first pair of glasses?

• No, it does not have to be the child’s first pair of glasses.

What does my child receive through the Eye See…Eye Learn program?

• Your child will receive a comprehensive eye exam, which is covered by Alberta Health Care.
• If your child is in kindergarten and requires prescription eyewear, they will also receive a free pair of eyeglasses, as prescribed by a Doctor of Optometry. The glasses are covered by a one-year manufacturer’s warranty.