Eye Examination - Eye Exams For Children

Eye Exams For Children

See also: pediatric ophthalmology

Children should have their first eye exam at 6 months old. If a parent suspects something is wrong an ophthalmologist can check even earlier.

Early eye exams are important because children need the following basic visual skills for learning:

  • Near vision
  • Distance vision: Tumbling E chart, Landolt C chart
  • Eye teaming (binocularity)
  • Eye movement
  • Accommodation (focusing skills)
  • Peripheral vision
  • Eye–hand coordination

Because of the importance of eye exams before students begin school, the Ontario Association of Optometrists started the Eye See...Eye Learn program in Ontario after it was successfully launched in Alberta in 2003. The program provides OHIP insured eye exams and free eyeglasses to Junior Kindergarten children in participating regions. Currently the program is being offered in the following regions for the 2010/2011 year: Halton, Hamilton-Wentworth, Peel and Windsor-Essex.

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