Visual Health

Importance of Healthy Vision

Vision has been noted as the “most important sense”. Eighty percent of learning occurs through the eyes. Through vision, children develop hand-eye coordination, depth perception and visual skills that influence their overall healthy growth and development.

To find out more on children’s eye health, visit www.optom.on.ca.

Does Your Child Have a Vision Problem?

Children with vision problems may not show any signs. In fact, vision problems may be mistaken for attention or learning difficulties.

However, some signs may exist. Be alert for signs and symptoms that may indicate your child has a vision problem:

• Turning or tilting the head
• Avoiding books and television
• Holding objects too close
• Irritability or short attention span
• Covering or closing one eye
• A lack of concentration
• Squinting, rubbing the eyes, or excessive blinking
• An eye that consistently turns in or out
• Sensitivity to light
• Red, itchy or watering eyes
• Using a finger to maintain place while reading
• Omitting or confusing small words when reading
• Performing below their potential
• Visible frustration or grimacing
• Headaches

The only way to know for sure if your child has a vision problem is to book regular comprehensive eye exams with an optometrist.

If problems are found early, many conditions can be treated with better outcomes.

What Are Some Important Vision Problems in Children?

The most important vision problems in children are:

• Strabismus
  • Unaligned eyes; can cause amblyopia and double vision
  • Typically develops by age 4
  • Affects ~5% of young children
  • Can be treated by Ophthalmologists
• Amblyopia
  • Complete vision loss in one eye, due to strabismus and other causes
  • Due to vision being abnormal in the affected eye during a critical period (up to ages 4–6)
  • Treatment becomes much more difficult with age, and is most effective before age 7
  • Affects ~5% of young children
  • Can be prevented with early detection of vision problems
• Refractive problems
  • Near-sightedness, far-sightedness, and astigmatism
  • Far-sightedness is more common in infancy and childhood, and near-sightedness becomes more common with age and is especially common with puberty
  • Eye strain (spending too much time looking at close objects, such as books and screen time) may increase the risk of near-sightedness
  • Among young children, around 10% are too far-sighted to comfortably read a book, and around 1% are too near-sighted to see a blackboard
  • Can be treated using eye glasses

OHIP Covered Comprehensive Eye Exams

Comprehensive eye exams and any required follow-up visits performed by an optometrist are covered for children 0–19 years of age with a valid Ontario health card. An optometrist is a one-stop destination for all things eye health related, including prevention, diagnosis, treatment, health information and eyewear products.

To find an optometrist near you, visit www.optom.on.ca.

How often should children have their eyes checked?

Vision changes rapidly as children grow. The Ontario Association of Optometrists (OAO) recommends that children have their eyes examined at 6 months, 3 years and then yearly after starting school. If you note any of the signs and symptoms indicated above, have your child seen by an optometrist as soon as possible.

What Are Some Important Vision Problems in Children?

The most important vision problems in children are:

• Amblyopia (lazy eye)
  • Reduced vision in one eye caused by abnormal visual development early in life. The weaker – or lazy – eye often wanders inward or outward.
  • Affects ~5% of children and is the leading cause of decreased vision in children.
  • Treatment becomes much more difficult with age, and is most effective before age 7. The eye with poorer vision can usually be corrected with glasses or contact lenses, or patching therapy.
• Strabismus (crossed eyes)
  • Unaligned eyes; can cause amblyopia and double vision.
  • Affects ~5% of children; typically develops by age 6.
  • See an optometrist as soon as a wandering eye is noticed in your child for improved treatment outcomes.
• Refractive problems
  • Near-sightedness, far-sightedness, and astigmatism.
  • Far-sightedness is more common in infancy and childhood, and near-sightedness becomes more common with age and is especially common with puberty.
  • Eye strain (spending too much time looking at close objects, such as books and screen time) may increase the risk of near-sightedness.
  • Among young children, around 10% are too far-sighted to comfortably read a book, and around 1% are too near-sighted to see a blackboard.
  • Can be treated using eye glasses.

Funding Assistance for Children’s Eye Glasses

Eye See Eye Learn Program

The Eye See…Eye Learn® program encourages parents to book a comprehensive eye exam for their junior kindergarten child with a local, participating optometrist. The eye exam is covered by OHIP. 

If required, Eye See…Eye Learn® will provide one complimentary pair of glasses per child courtesy of our participating optometrists and corporate partners Essilor Vision Foundation Canada and Modern Optical Canada. The frames are fashionable and are made with high quality and impact resistant polycarbonate lenses. The estimated value of the glasses is over $300.

Participating doctors will have Eye See…Eye Learn doctor next to their name.

Clearly

To get a free pair of kids’ glasses, your child will need a recent prescription and their health card. You can schedule a kid’s eye exam at your nearest Clearly store. Glasses must be ordered in-store.

Lions Club

Lions Clubs have worked to improve their communities through projects and programs. Each club is unique in how it serves. A Lions Club in or near your community may sponsor a program that provides assistance for the purchase of eyeglasses.

Canadian Council of the Blind

The Canadian Council of the Blind (CCB) is a membership-based not-for-profit organization that brings together Canadians who are blind, deaf-blind or living with vision loss through chapters within their own local communities to share common interests and social activities.

Ontario Works & Ontario Disability Support Program

To get assistance with the cost of prescription eyeglasses contact your local Ontario Works (OW) or Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) office:

• Ontario Works
  • Leeds Grenville – 1-800-267-8146
  • Lanark – 1-888-952-6275
• Ontario Disability Support Program
  • Leeds Grenville – 1-800-267-0834
  • Lanark – 1-800-267-7911

Schools and School Boards

Some school boards have a foundation that will cover the cost of eyewear. Contact your local school for more information.

Blind-Low Vision Early Intervention Program (BLVEIP)

The Blind-Low Vision Early Intervention program is available for families with children who have a visual impairment from birth until school entry. The program provides support in your home and in your community.

With parent/guardian consent, referrals to the Blind-Low Vision Early Intervention program can be made by a doctor, ophthalmologist, optometrist, parent, or caregiver. The Blind-Low Vision Early Intervention program does not require a medical professional to refer, recommend, or approve service.