The Importance Of Child Eye Exams.
There are two main benefits of early eye exams:
- Assess Your Child’s Eye Health. It is extremely important to monitor children’s eye health as there are many eye conditions that can develop in early childhood that can be difficult to resolve if they are not diagnosed early. Retinoblastoma, for example, is a type of cancer of the eye that often develops in children under the age of 2. When retinoblastoma is caught early, vision can be preserved and the spread of cancer can be prevented. Amblyopia, or lazy eye, is also common in children and can be remedied in childhood much easier than it can be later in life. Strabismus, or crossed eyes, is also easier to resolve in childhood. There are many more examples of eye health issues that your child may have, and all of them can be diagnosed early with a comprehensive eye exam, which is more in-depth than the simple vision tests administered in schools.
- Improve Child Learning. Children’s vision impairments can greatly impact their ability to learn, as 80% of learning is visual. Children may struggle to see the front of the classroom or read their books, thus limiting their ability to comprehend the material and to participate in classroom activities. Sometimes children are assumed to have learning difficulties when the reality is that they have an undiagnosed visual impairment that is limiting them. If this impairment continues to go unaddressed, the student will likely persistently fall behind in their education, leading to a drop in self-confidence and self-esteem. Being unable to understand concepts that other students are easily picking up can also lead to increased frustration and subsequent behavioural problems. By having your child’s eyes examined annually starting at age 5, you can ensure that your child will not struggle in school due to visual impairment.
The Eye See… I Learn™ Program. The Eye See… Eye Learn™ Program provides free eyeglasses to kindergarten-aged children who have had a comprehensive eye exam by an optometrist and are determined to need eyeglasses. The Alberta Association of Optometrists has established this program to help children reach their full potential. Between The Eye See… Eye Learn™ Program and eye exams covered by Alberta Health, the hope is for children to have healthy eyes and monitored vision while removing financial barriers.
Schedule A Children’s Eye Exam And Participate In The Eye See… I Learn™ Program In NW Calgary
To determine if your child needs eyeglasses, schedule a provincially covered eye exam with the professional staff at Market Mall Optometry. Even with the cost of the eye exam covered, sometimes the price of eyeglasses may seem unaffordable. If you want to participate in The Eye See… Eye Learn™ Program, simply tell us. There is no paperwork or hassle involved and we will get you a free pair of glasses for your kindergarten-aged child at your request. Our kid-friendly NW Calgary eye clinic actively encourages children to take care of their eyesight, wear their glasses, and develop healthy eye habits. If you want to book a children’s eye exam in NW Calgary, call us at 1-403-286-4884 or fill out the online contact form.
FAQ
Q: What is included in children’s eye exams at your Calgary eye clinic?
A: A children’s eye exam at Market Mall Optometry tests for:
- Color blindness
- General eye health
- Focusing skills
- Near vision
- Distance vision
- Eye movement control
- Hand-eye coordination
- Peripheral perception
After the appointment, your eye doctor can also provide you with suggestions for helping you choose the right frames, what type of lenses work best, whether or not they are old enough for contact lenses, as well as give you advice on protective eyewear they might require for sports.
Q: What are some signs a child is having difficulty with their vision?
A: Even if your child is having regular eye exams, it can also be important to note any symptoms of eye strain or eye health changes between appointments.
Signs Your Child May Need An Eye Exam:
- Frequent eye rubbing
- Excessive blinking
- Squinting or covering one eye
- Inability to maintain eye contact
- Lowered concentration while looking at objects
- Headaches or dizziness
- Holding a book close to the face while reading
- Using a finger as a placeholder while reading
- Performing below potential
- Exaggerated clumsiness
Q: How likely is it that my child has a visual impairment?
A: There are many factors that alter your child’s likelihood of developing eye conditions, but 25% of children in Alberta begin grade 1 with undiagnosed vision or eye health problems, and approximately 30% of the world’s population has myopia (nearsightedness) with that number expected to be 50% of the population by 2050. Although your child may have good eye health and not need eyeglasses, it is safer to check and make sure, so that they do not have complications later.
