Eye See . . . Eye Learn is an eye health and vision program for kindergarten age children in Alberta.

80% of learning is visual, which makes having a comprehensive eye exam an important start to a child’s learning journey. The first step is to book an appointment with a doctor of optometry.  They will check your child’s vision and eye health during an examination.  These exams are covered by Alberta Health*.  If it is determined that your child requires eyeglasses, they will receive a free pair through the program.  The doctor of optometry will order the glasses for you once the examination is complete.  The glasses are covered by a one-year manufacturer’s warranty.

A child is eligible from the September they begin kindergarten to when they begin Grade One.

Did you know?

• 1 in 4 school-aged children has a vision problem.
• Children with vision problems are often misdiagnosed as having learning or behavioural disabilities.
• Eye health problems are detected through an eye exam.
• The sooner problems are treated, the more likely they can be corrected.  Some conditions have a critical period and once the window passes, permanent visual loss can remain.
• Children are often unaware they have a vision issue as they believe what they are seeing is normal.
• 43% of children who have a vision or eye health problem can pass a basic vision screening or sight test.  Children may have one eye that is doing most of the work, hiding the fact that the other eye is not functioning properly.

Your child may have a vision or eye health problem if they are experiencing one or more of these symptoms:

At school:

• Struggles with reading, writing or learning.
• Performs below ability level.
• Loses place while reading or uses finger/marker to guide eyes.
• Places head close to books or desk while reading or writing.

At home:

• Has a short attention span for age.
• Dislikes or avoids close or detailed work (LEGO, drawing, etc.).
• Has poor eye-hand coordination.

Physical indicators:

• Turns or tilts head to use only one eye; covers or closes one eye.
• Blinks or rubs eyes excessively.
• Suffers from headaches, nausea, dizziness.
• Complains of burning, itching or blurry eyes.
• Has double vision.

Use the Find an Optometrist link in the top left corner to find a participating doctor of optometry near you and book your child’s comprehensive eye examination. This exam is covered by Alberta Health, so take your child’s Alberta Health card with you.

 

Doctor of Optometry Dan Hurd and Parenting Blogger Buzz Bishop speak on the importance of comprehensive eye exams for children and the Eye See...Eye Learn® Program.

* Check with your doctor of optometry prior to your appointment to determine if there are any additional costs.