Why children need eye exams
Approximately 1 in 4 children has a vision problem that affects their ability to learn — and many don't know it. Children often don't report vision difficulties because they assume everyone sees the way they do.
Experts say that 80% of what children learn in school is presented visually. A recent CAO study shows that 10% of preschoolers have a vision deficiency and that number increases to 25% from kindergarten to grade 6. Up to 60% of children diagnosed with learning disabilities actually suffer from undetected vision problems.
The Canadian Association of Optometrists recommends a first eye exam at 6 months, again at age 3, and annually from age 6 onward.
Alberta Health Care covers annual eye exams for all children under 19. No cost to families.
Eye exams for infants
To assess whether your baby's vision is following important milestones, exams at 6 to 12 months can evaluate their development. Even though your child may not be able to talk, we use specialized tests:
- Pupil response tests — evaluate whether the eye's pupil opens and closes properly in the presence or absence of light
- Fixate and follow testing — determines whether your baby's eyes can fixate on and follow an object such as a light as it moves (infants should be able to fixate soon after birth and follow an object by 3 months)
What we check in a pediatric exam
Our optometrists are experienced with young patients. For preverbal children and infants, we use specialized techniques that don't require reading a chart:
- Visual acuity — age-appropriate letter or picture charts
- Eye alignment and teaming — screening for strabismus (eye turn) and amblyopia (lazy eye)
- Focusing ability — can the eyes focus accurately at near and far?
- Colour vision — typically assessed at school age
- Retinal health — the back of the eye using a specialized ophthalmoscope
Warning signs for parents
Watch for these issues, especially in conjunction with school problems:
- Headaches or eye strain
- Blurry or double vision
- Excessive blinking or rubbing eyes
- Poor hand-eye coordination
- Crossed eyes or eyes that seem to work independently
- Turning or tilting head to use one eye only
- Having to sit closer to the board or keeping pages close to read
Myopia management
Nearsightedness (myopia) in children is increasing rapidly. If left unchecked, progression can lead to higher prescriptions and increased risk of eye disease later in life. We offer:
- Orthokeratology (West Edmonton Eye Care only) — overnight lenses that slow myopia progression
Ask us about myopia management options at your child's next exam.
MYAH technology for myopia management
Our clinic uses MYAH technology from Topcon Healthcare for advanced myopia detection and monitoring. MYAH combines several features into one device:
- Axial length measurement — a critical factor in assessing myopia progression
- Corneal topography — understanding the shape of the cornea for effective diagnosis and management
- Pupillometry — measures pupil size under different lighting conditions to customize treatment plans
MYAH's ability to compare individual measurements with growth curves for axial length aids in predicting myopia progression. This all-in-one approach allows for comprehensive assessment and personalized, effective treatment strategies.