Last week Eye See… Eye Learn package were sent out to school boards which will pass them along to parents with children in Kindergarten. This program was designed to encourage parents to have children’s eyes examined as they enter school. A pilot study showed 80% of children in Alberta will begin school without a comprehensive eye examination even though there is not cost, as it is covered by Alberta Health Care. In this age group 14% of children will have some form of vision problem. Often children are unable to express their vision problems unless it become severe, at which point learning will have already been affected. With the help of the programs sponsors, a free pair of glasses is available should they be recommended and last year over 1600 were provided across the province.
In general children should have their first eye exam around 6 months, then at age 3 and annually thereafter.
We can all image how difficult it would be for us to function in the world with reduced or no vision. So ensuring a child’s vision is functioning normally, will allow them equal opportunity to learn with their peers. In Alberta children are covered up to their 19th birthday for routine eye examination as well as visits to deal with red eyes, injuries or monitoring for problems associated with systemic disease such as diabetes.
Our children are our future, and our world is becoming more visually demanding, so book your child’s examination today.
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