Eye See Eye Learn
In Alberta, 25% of children begin grade one with an undiagnosed vision or eye health problem, which can interfere with their ability to learn during their first critical years in school. The Eye See…Eye Learn® program was developed by the Alberta Association of Optometrists to help children reach their full potential.
Through Eye See…Eye Learn®, Doctors of Optometry detect, diagnose and treat eye health problems in children as they enter the school system. Alberta Health Care already covers the cost of comprehensive eye exams for all children in the province. This program takes that one step further by providing free eyeglasses to kindergarten students who need a prescription.
How to participate:
1) Book an eye exam for your child with one of our Optometrists, which is covered by Alberta Health Care. (Make sure you have your child’s Alberta health card with you).
3) Kindergarten students will receive a free pair of eyeglasses, if required. The glasses are covered by a one year manufacturer’s warranty.
Vision and Learning:
Did you know?
- 80% of learning is visual
- 1 in 4 school-aged children has a vision problem
- An eye exam detects health problems such as crossed eyes, lazy eye and many eye diseases
- Many vision problems are difficult to detect without an eye exam
- Children with vision problems are often misdiagnosed as having learning or behavioral disabilities
- The earlier an eye health or visual problem is identified, the more likely it can be corrected
What your Doctor of Optometry is looking for:
- Visual acuity
- Lazy eye, crossed eyes
- Nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism
- Eye coordination, tracking and depth perception
- Colour vision
- Eye health
- Review of family history, overall health and lifestyle
A comprehensive eye exam does more than determine if a child sees well – it is also a vital part of their overall health.
A comprehensive eye exam can help identify serious eye conditions at an early age, so that they can be properly managed and corrected. Our Doctors of Optometry can see children as early as 6 months old for their first comprehensive eye exam.
What to watch for:
A child who is having vision or eye health problems will likely experience one or more of these symptoms:
At School:
- Struggles with reading, writing or learning
- Performs below ability level
- Loses place while reading or uses finger/marker to guide eyes
- Places head close to books or desk while reading or writing
At Home:
- Has a short attention span for age
- Dislikes or avoids close or detailed work (LEGO, drawing, etc.)
- Has poor eye-hand coordination
Physical indicators:
- Has eyes that cross, turn in or out, or move independently of each other
- Turns or tilts head to use only one eye; covers or closes one eye
- Blinks or rubs eyes excessively
- Suffers from headaches, nausea, dizziness
- Complains of burning, itching or blurry eyes
- Has double vision
If your child displays any of these indicators, it’s important to schedule an appointment with a Doctor of Optometry.