Why Children Need Regular Eye Exams

Everyone should be getting regular eye exams, but it’s extremely important for parents to schedule eye exams for children at the beginning of the school year. Vision usually doesn’t stabilize until about the age of 20, so even if your child had an exam last year, it could have changed.

The Canadian Association of Optometrists recommends children between the ages of 6 and 19 should undergo an eye examination annually.

Uncorrected vision problems can negatively affect your child’s academics, sports and even social interactions. It’s also important to note that if children are having a problem with their vision, they might not always be forthcoming about it, which is why you need to schedule regular eye exams.

What Happens During an Exam
During an eye exam, you can expect a complete review of vision history before tests for nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, colour perception, depth perception and focusing ability are performed. If the doctor determines your child needs corrective eyewear, they’ll write a prescription for glasses and/or contacts.

While you’re scheduling your child’s eye exam, make an appointment for everyone in the family. Adults aged 20 to 39 should have an eye exam every 2-3 years, while those between the ages of 40 and 64 should have one every 2 years. People over the age of 65 should be scheduling exams annually.