The health unit supports visual health in our communities with in-school vision screening for SK children and by promoting regular visits to optometrists. Screening was mandated under the Ontario Public Health Standards in 2018 to help identify children who are at high risk of visual impairments and those already exhibiting vision problems. Undetected and untreated vision problems can have a number of negative impacts on children, including learning problems, poor achievement in school and social issues. It’s important to detect and correct vision problems early.
Specifically, the health unit:
- Offers school vision screening to all senior kindergarten (SK) students in schools.
- Provides information about visual health
- Provides information about how to find an optometrist and programs to help pay for glasses
- Promotes good visual health behaviours by supporting families and through outreach and educational activities.
Vision screening does not replace comprehensive eye exams. Health care professionals can refer families with children to an optometrist beginning when the child is six months old. The Canadian Association of Optometrists (CAO) recommends that preschool children at low risk should have at least one eye exam between ages two and five years old. School age children (beginning at age six) should get eye exams annually.
The Eye See…Eye Learn® program offers a complimentary pair of glasses for children in JK.
The College of Optometrists of Ontario has a search feature on its website for those who are looking for an optometrist.
