Everything You Need To Know About Children’s Eye Exams

Does your child complain about having difficulty reading addition and subtraction problems on the board? Do you notice that your middle child squints to look at something in the distance? Your youngest is barely two years old, yet seems to have a slight eye turn? It is easy to imagine these situations, as they are common. Yet some parents still take them lightly, sometimes attributing them to their child’s capricious nature. Here is some useful information to know about eye exams in early childhood.

What is the right age for a first eye exam?

There is no exact prescribed age for a first eye exam, but it is important to know that from the age of two (and even younger in some cases), an optometrist can examine your child’s vision. There is no need to know how to read or speak! Using pictures and objective tests, the eye care professional can identify potential problems and propose solutions to correct them. It is important to understand that a visual disorder can be treated, and may even disappear completely, if it is detected early enough. The younger your child is at their first eye exam, the better. This allows us to quickly put the necessary measures in place to help them. At L’Aire Visuelle, we are fortunate to have a team of dedicated professionals who listen closely to your children’s needs.

Kindergarten: a major milestone!

Starting kindergarten is an important milestone in your child’s life. It marks the very beginning of their academic journey. Over the years, they will acquire many essential skills and knowledge. However, a vision problem can greatly hinder their learning. Visual difficulties can lead to behavioral or concentration problems, as well as reading and writing challenges. This is why, at L’Aire Visuelle, we recommend that all parents have their child undergo an eye exam before starting kindergarten. This helps ensure that the visual system is functioning properly and contributes to optimal learning.

Eye care follow-up after kindergarten

After that, we strongly recommend having a comprehensive eye exam every year. As the body grows, so does the eyeball, and vision can change. It is therefore important to have annual follow-ups to ensure that the visual system is developing normally. In addition, no one is immune to eye diseases or complications — and children are no exception. Some conditions develop without prior symptoms and can appear at a young age. Having your eyes checked once a year allows for the best possible monitoring of ocular health and the best vision associated with it.

Let’s recap…

There you go! You are now informed and equipped to take charge of your children’s visual health. Booking an appointment promptly with an optometrist will benefit their vision, as well as their overall development and learning. Good to know: eye exams are covered once a year for anyone insured under the Quebec Health Insurance Plan, up to the age of 18, and again starting at age 65. So there is no longer any excuse! Book an appointment now with one of our optometrists at L’Aire Visuelle, and keep an eye on your health and that of your loved ones.