Children’s Vision Month

Shannon LeClair

Times Reporter

 

October is Children’s Vision Month, and the Alberta Association of Optometrists and the Library Association of Alberta are reminding parents to take their children in for an eye exam.
While many people may not think of it, it’s important to book a comprehensive eye exam for your child before entering Grade 1. Statistics have shown that fewer than 22 per cent of Alberta children entering Grade 1 have had a comprehensive eye exam, even though one in four children have vision problems significant enough to affect their ability to learn.
“Parents mistakenly believe they would know if their child was having difficulty with their eyesight,” says, Dr. Michelle Duke of Strathmore Vision Clinic in a press release.
“But what most parents don’t realize, is that children don’t show obvious symptoms because they assume everyone sees the way they do.”
“Approximately 60 per cent of children with literacy issues actually have an undiagnosed vision problem,” says Karen Hildebrandt, president of the Library Association of Alberta in a release.
“As champions for children’s literacy and education, we feel it is our responsibility to educate as many parents as possible about the important link between vision and learning.”
Poor vision has been known to delay a child’s development, which can also make learning and coordination for physical activities difficult. In Alberta eye exams for children and teens up to the age of 19 is covered by Alberta Health.
There is also the Eye See …Eye Learn program offered by the Alberta Association of Optometrists. The program see’s children in Kindergarten given a comprehensive eye exam, and if needed a complimentary pair of glasses.
“The Eye See … Eye Learn program is in place to increase each child’s access to vision care and to raise awareness of common eye conditions,” said Duke. “An eye exam can change a child’s future. Identifying vision problems when a child is entering school will ensure the child is able to reach their individual potential and prevent early struggles to read and learn.”
In 2013, 21,700 five-year-olds in Alberta had eye exams and of those tested 1,753 needed glasses and received them through the program.
To learn more about the Eye See … Eye Learn program go to http://optometrists.ab.ca/find-an-optometrist.