Early Detection Can Prevent Later Vision Issues
Our eyes allow us to engage and see our surroundings, and this begins from the first day we enter the world. A child’s vision is key to understanding new stimuli and learning shapes, colours, letters, and numbers. If your child has a visual impairment, it could affect their learning skills and social behaviour.
Your child’s vision is as important to us as it is to you. Whether or not your child indicates there’s something amiss with their vision, bringing them in for an eye exam could open the path to improved vision and quality of life.
How Often Should Your Child See the Eye Doctor?
Bringing your little one in for regular eye exams can help prevent eye disease and future vision problems.
For low-risk and asymptomatic children, we follow the guidelines set out by the Canadian Optometric Association:
- 0 to 2 years: Your child should have their first eye exam between 6 and 9 months.
- 2 to 5 years: Your child should have at least 1 eye exam.
- 6 to 19: Your child should have annual eye exams.
Why Would Your Child Need More Frequent Eye Exams?
The frequency of eye exams for your child depends on several factors, including family eye health history, current neurodevelopmental conditions, and whether the mother smoked during pregnancy.
High-risk children or those showing symptoms may need increased exam frequency—but we can discuss that when you bring your little one in for their first appointment.
In Ontario, the health care plan (OHIP) covers 1 annual exam for children, starting from 12 months old to 19 years old. Your eye doctor may recommend retinal photography which is a non-invasive and instantaneous snap shot into the internal health of your child’s eyes. This procedure uses a special camera and visible light and is safe for all ages.
What Happens During a Children’s Eye Exam?
We know it can be a little challenging to wrangle your kids, get them out of bed, fed, and off to school. We want to make your time at our practice easy and positive.
Our doctors have significant experience with children. We give each child our full attention and know the right questions to ask to determine if they’ve been having vision issues.
Learning Your Child’s Health History
To start the appointment, we chat with you to learn about your family’s eye health and medical history and whether your child has any current medical conditions. Some ocular problems are genetic, so we must grasp the complete picture of your child’s eye health before testing.
Assessments for All Aspects of Vision
During the exam, we’ll gently guide your child through the following assessments:
- Visual acuity test to determine the sharpness and clarity of vision
- Eye movement skills and how well the eyes align
- Vision at all distances
- Measure the growth and function of the visual system
- A check of the internal ocular health of the eyes which may involve dilation eye drops and/or retinal photography
After Your Child’s Eye Exam
After the appointment, we may recommend further testing or vision therapy, depending on the results. If your child needs prescription glasses, we’ll guide you to our optical centre, where they can choose their own frames.
Amblyopia & Strabismus
There are 2 discrete ocular conditions that can affect a child’s vision from an early age: amblyopia (lazy eye) and strabismus (crossed eyes or wandering eye).
Both can take a toll on a child’s long-term vision, but we can recommend vision therapy to help train the eyes to cooperate.
Start the Path to Healthy Vision Early
Even if your child appears to have 20/20 vision, regular eye exams are essential to maintaining proper eye development. Our team can help support your child’s visual development and safeguard their lifelong vision.
Book your child’s eye exam today.
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Visit Our Location
Our office can be found off of Major MacKenzie Drive West in the same plaza as the Medical Centre and Tim Hortons. The location of our office is 965 Major Mackenzie Dr. West, Units 3 & 4.
Hours of Operation
Our Address
- 965 Major Mackenzie Dr. West, Units 3 & 4
- Vaughan, ON L6A 4P8
Contact Information
- Phone: 289-553-EYES (3937)
- Fax: 289-553-3939
*Friday by appointment only.
**We are closed on the Saturdays of long weekends and holidays.
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Foresee Eyecare
- 965 Major Mackenzie Dr. West, Units 3 & 4
- Vaughan, ON L6A 4P8
- Phone: 289-553-EYES (3937)
- Fax: 289-553-3939