Supporting Vision From a Young Age
Your child’s vision is crucial in their development and early education. In fact, 80% of your child’s learning is visual. From a young age, it’s important for your child to visit us for regular exams. During these exams, we can identify and recommend treatment for any potential issues.
When your child visits, our friendly team is happy to answer any questions you or they may have. We aim to create a fun environment for every family member during our children’s eye exams.
Identifying Vision Problems
As a parent, you want to do everything you can to help support your child’s eye health and vision. Although you may ask them if they’re having trouble seeing, some children may not be aware they’re dealing with a vision issue.
If your child is dealing with vision problems, they might show the following indicators:
- Underachieving in school
- Tilting their head while reading
- Squinting while reading
- Covering an eye while reading
- Regularly losing their place while reading
- Poor athletic performance
- Short attention span
- Frequent blinking or eye-rubbing
- Sitting close to the television
- Frequent headaches
- Holding objects or books close to their face
When Does Your Child Need an Exam?
6 Months Old
To support your child’s vision, the Canadian Association of Optometrists recommends that their first visit be at 6 months. Even at this age, we can start to diagnose and treat strabismus (crossed eyes) and amblyopia (lazy eye).
During your child’s first visit, we want to make their visit a fun and safe experience. We’ll use things like pictures and shapes to assess their eye health.
Toddling Age
Once your child has had their first exam, the Canadian Association of Optometrists recommends they return every year. During ages 1 and 2, it’s imperative to visit as their hand-eye coordination and depth perception are developing.
To help with this development, try the following at home:
- Painting
- Drawing and colouring
- Playing with building blocks
- Sorting and assembling
- Puzzles
School Age
Now that your kid’s a little older, they may start to tell you that their vision hasn’t changed and they don’t need an eye exam. However, they could be unaware that something has changed. Your child is at risk of developing nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. All of these visual issues can affect their learning and need to be addressed.
For children with myopia (nearsightedness), we provide myopia control programs to slow its progression and correct any visual issues caused by it.
OUR LOCATIONS
See & Be Seen
Eyecare downtown
- 647-492-3182
- 416-516-2021
- [email protected]
- #136 – 171 East Liberty Street
- Toronto, ON M6K 3P6
Hours of Operation
- Monday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Thursday: 11:00 AM – 6:30 PM
- Friday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Saturday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Sunday: Closed
See & Be Seen
Eyecare Midtown
(yonge & eglinton)
- 647-492-0578
- 416-483-6711
- [email protected]
- 2594 Yonge St (previously 2611 Yonge Street)
- Toronto, ON M4P 2J4
Hours of Operation
- Monday: Closed
- Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Thursday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Friday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Saturday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Sunday: Closed
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