As parents, we help with homework, prepare healthy lunches, and go for regular checkups with various health professionals. But what if there was something standing in the way — something you couldn’t even see?

Vision and children

Problems with vision are common in children and can often go undetected by parents. You could be missing problems that will affect their ability to read, write, and learn. In fact, 80 percent of learning during a child’s first 12 years is obtained through vision. 

A survey by the Canadian Association of Optometrists (CAO) showed that more than 60 percent of Canadian parents said they would know if their child was having issues with vision. It’s important to remember that there’s a difference between having good vision and having good vision health. 

“It’s important to remember that there’s a difference between having good vision and having good vision health.”

Many eye diseases have no symptoms, and are impossible to detect without an eye exam. Unfortunately the CAO also reported that just 14 percent of children under the age of six have had a complete eye exam from a Doctor of Optometry. 

May is Vision Health Month, and the CNIB is calling on Canadians to take key steps to protect their vision health, starting with an eye exam.

The best time for a checkup

The CAO recommends that infants and toddlers should undergo their first examination between the ages of six and nine months.

Children should then undergo at least one eye exam between the ages of two and five years old, followed by annual exams for school-age children. Adults should visit their Doctor of Optometry at least every two years, and seniors over 65 should book annual appointments.