Poor eyesight can have a significant effect on a child's ability to learn, yet it often goes unrecognized by teachers, parents and by children themselves.

 

Children don’t always have the awareness or experience needed to recognize that they have a vision problem.  Most of the time, they assume that everyone sees the way they do.  All children need regular comprehensive eye examinations to determine if they have healthy eyes and vision

 

Young children don’t have to know the alphabet or even speak to have their vision tested.  Many vision tests for children use pictures or symbols familiar to preschoolers, and children can respond by naming, matching or pointing.  Other tests are done objectively, so young children don’t have to be able to communicate well to be evaluated. 

 

Comprehensive eye examinations for children are fully covered by OHIP once every 12 months until the age19.