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| Eye Exams For Children |
80% of children in Alberta begin school without a comprehensive eye exam, yet vision problems have been identified as one of the major factors in limiting a child’s ability to learn and succeed.
The Canadian Association of Optometrists recommends that children have their first eye examination at 6 months, then at age three, and every year following. Alberta Health and Wellness covers a comprehensive examination once every year for children 18 years and under.
A common misconception about vision and eye health is that 20/20 vision means that your child has all the vision skills they need to read, learn and play. A 20/20 vision score only means that your child can see at 20 feet what they should see at 20 feet. It does not relate to any of the vision skills needed for learning and is not a guarantee that your child’s eyes are healthy and disease free. Through examinations by our optometrists, the most common conditions we can detect among children are: nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. The detection and treatment of other conditions such as lazy, crossed eyes is best treated at a young age, as these conditions may be more difficult to correct at a later date.
Most children rarely complain of blurred vision. Most vision problems go unrecognized by parents, thus the importance of regular examinations. For children who are unable to recognize the alphabet, an optometrist can use shapes and pictures to assess their vision.
An eye examination is an important part of your overall health routine, your eyes reveal more about your health than people realize. Regular visits help to ensure a lifetime of clear vision and healthy eyes.
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