Grandpa Richard's Kids

Children’s eye health is generally overlooked by Canadian parents with nutrition and socializing ranked higher priorities. Evidence shows that the majority of Canadian parents wouldn’t be able to detect if their child had an eye or vision problem. Moreover, only four per cent of parents surveyed by Leger Marketing would immediately think that difficulties in school could be linked to poor eye sight.

Optometrists at routine eye examinations can detect vision and eye health issues which if left undetected could cause lasting problems, potentially affecting other areas of a child’s life. The Canadian Association of Optometrists encourages parents to take their children as young as six months for an eye exam and has the following tips for parents:

• 20-20 vision doesn’t necessarily mean healthy eyes. Research shows 98 per cent of Canadian optometrists have detected vision problems in children despite parents’ claims of 20-20 vision.

• A common misconception is that children need to be able to read in order to have their eyes checked. In fact, the Canadian Association of Optometrists recommends eye exams in infants by six months, at age 3, and annually from ages 5 to 19.

• Be alert for signs that your child could have a vision problem. If your child is losing his or her place while reading, rubbing his or her eyes or performing below his or her potential in school then take your child to their optometrist for an eye exam. For more information on signs and what to look for, visit www.opto.ca

• A review of your child’s health and vision history

• Tests for nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, colour perception, lazy eye, crossed-eyes, eye coordination, depth perception and focusing ability.

Take your child to see an optometrist annually for a routine eye exam. Make your child’s first test an eye exam.

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