Health Department encourages parents to book eye examinations for school-aged children

Whitby, Ontario – Durham Region Health Department is encouraging parents of school-aged children to book an appointment for their child with a local optometrist as vision screening is an important component of a child’s visual health.

The Ontario Association of Optometrists recommends that children should have their first eye examination at six-months old, another examination between two and five-years old and, subsequently, every year thereafter. The Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) covers a comprehensive eye examination by an optometrist every year for children under 19-years old.

“Vision screening can identify children who may have no apparent symptoms, eye abnormalities or blurred vision. If left untreated, these problems may lead to permanent vision loss or poor academic performance in school,” explained Yemisi Aladesua, a public health nurse with Durham Region Health Department. “That’s why it’s recommended that all children see an optometrist for an eye examination and why vision screening remains an important component of a child’s overall well-being.”

One in four school-aged children may have a vision problem that if left untreated, can affect their learning and development. Some of these problems can only be treated if found while children are young.

Research has also found that vision problems in young children may be hard to recognize, with 61 per cent of parents mistakenly believing that they would be able to identify if their child was experiencing a vision or eye problem.

The Health Department has compiled a list of local optometrists in each Durham Region community to help parents find the support they may need. To obtain the list or for more information on the importance of eye examinations for children, please call the Durham Health Connection Line at 905-668-2020 or 1-800-841-2729. Information is also available at durham.ca/VisualHealth.