Children's Eye Examination
A COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATION FOR YOUR LITTLE ONES
Did you know that 80% of a child’s learning is visual? This means that clear vision is essential for academic success. If your child complains of headaches or experiences learning difficulties, a consultation with an optometrist should be a priority!
Vision plays a crucial role in a child’s development, both for learning and academic achievement. A comprehensive eye examination is recommended annually throughout the school years.
When was your child’s last vision examination?
Several benefits for our little ones
Eye examinations for those under 18 are covered once per calendar year by the Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ). There’s no reason to skip it!
RAMQ offers a $300 subsidy per child every two years for the purchase of glasses or contact lenses.
COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATIONS
We conduct thorough eye examinations to assess your child’s vision and eye health. These exams are tailored to the child’s developmental stages and may include tests for visual acuity, refraction, eye movements, binocular vision, color and depth perception, and an overall assessment of ocular health.
Did you know Optometrists have objective tests to measure children’s refraction, even if they are too young or unable to clearly communicate their visual needs. Cycloplegic retinoscopy involves using eye drops to dilate the pupils and temporarily paralyze accommodation (the eye’s focusing ability). This allows the optometrist to accurately measure refraction without requiring responses from the child.
Detection of Refractive Errors
Common refractive errors include myopia (blurred distance vision), hyperopia (blurred near vision), astigmatism (blurred vision at all distances), and accommodation disorders. The prescription of corrective lenses (glasses or contact lenses) helps ensure optimal visual development.
Myopia
Distant objects appear blurry while close objects are clear. If untreated, myopia can worsen, increasing the risk of retinal detachment and glaucoma. Specialized lenses are now available to help slow its progression in children and adolescents.
Astigmatism
The eye has an oval shape like a football instead of being round, causing blurred or distorted vision. Symptoms include headaches, eye strain, and reading difficulties.
Hyperopia
Significant hyperopia can cause blurred vision both up close and at a distance, leading to eye fatigue, headaches, strabismus, and difficulty focusing on near objects. Corrective lenses are needed to improve visual clarity and prevent discomfort.
Screening for Strabismus (crossed eyes) and Amblyopia (lazy eye)
Optometrists diagnose and manage conditions where the eyes are misaligned or one eye has reduced vision compared to the other. Early detection is crucial, and treatments may include glasses, patching, or vision therapy.
Amblyopia
A condition where one eye has reduced vision. Causes include misaligned eyes, unequal refractive errors, or visual obstruction. Patching can help strengthen the weaker eye. Early treatment is highly effective, but effectiveness decreases significantly after age 10.
Strabismus
A condition where a child’s eyes do not align properly, causing double vision or poor depth perception. This often leads to amblyopia if untreated. Early detection can prevent long-term visual impairment.
Headaches
It is crucial to have an eye examination, as vision problems are often an underlying cause. Issues such as eye strain, uncorrected refractive errors, and binocular vision problems can all lead to headaches. An optometrist can detect these issues and rule out other serious eye conditions.
STATISTICS
60% of children with reading and writing difficulties have an undiagnosed vision problem
A child with a vision problem does not always clearly express their symptoms. It is therefore essential to stay vigilant if your child complains of headaches, eye itching, frequent blinking, fatigue, or has difficulty concentrating in class
Approximately 1 in 4 school-aged children has a vision problem significant enough to affect their learning.
These issues often go unnoticed by parents. A child who has always had blurry vision may not realize that their eyesight is abnormal.
One in six children diagnosed with learning difficulties actually has a vision problem.
Is your child struggling to concentrate in class, read, or complete homework? A comprehensive eye exam with an optometrist can identify the issue and provide appropriate treatment. The child does not need to know how to read—optometrists can detect and correct most vision problems using exams tailored to the child’s developmental stage.