Back-to-school season means shopping for backpacks, lunch bags, and school supplies—but don’t forget one of the most important tools for learning: healthy vision.
Many parents assume they would know if their child was having trouble seeing. The truth is, children often don’t realize their vision isn’t normal because they have nothing to compare it to. They may think blurry vision, headaches, eye strain, or difficulty focusing are simply part of everyday life.
Here are five reasons routine eye exams matter:
- Children don’t always complain. Vision problems often go unnoticed because kids adapt remarkably well.
- Vision is essential for learning. Approximately 80% of classroom learning is visual, so clear, comfortable vision plays a huge role in school success.
- Eye exams check much more than eyesight. We assess eye health, focusing, eye coordination, depth perception, and overall visual development. Certain medications can also affect the eyes.
- Screenings aren’t enough. Vision checks at school or during a doctor’s visit can miss important conditions. Only a comprehensive eye exam by an optometrist thoroughly evaluates both vision and eye health.
- Early detection matters. Many childhood eye conditions are only treatable if caught early. For example, a kid may be seeing well with both eyes open but they may have one eye that isn’t working well, and if not caught early enough, that child will never develop normal vision in that lazy eye.
The Canadian Association of Optometrists recommends a child’s first eye exam between 6 and 12 months of age, and yearly after that. OHIP covers childrens’ eye exams once a year up til age 19! If your child is starting school and they haven’t had an eye exam in the last year (or ever), book them now and make sure they’re set up for success!
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At EYES, we love caring for children and our entire team makes every visit fun and comfortable. When needed, we also use dilating eye drops to ensure we’re getting the most accurate prescription and a complete view of your child’s eye health.
Our philosophy is simple: preventive eye care is the best eye care. Even adults with healthy eyes should have a comprehensive eye exam every two years, even if they aren’t noticing any vision problems.
September Kids’ Eyewear Promotion: Buy one complete pair of kids’ frame and lenses and receive the second pair 50% off—perfect for a backup pair, sports, or a second style for school.
About the Author: Dr. Abby Jakob is the owner of EYES Optometry, located at 30 Main Street East in Kingsville. She and her team are passionate about providing comprehensive, family-friendly eye care and helping patients of all ages protect their vision for life. To book an appointment, call the clinic at 519-733-3766 or book online at www.abbyjakobeyes.com!
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