When Should I Book Eye Exams for My Child?

My kids were due for their annual eye check-up with our optometrist last week. As our optometrist led my 6-year-old through her vision test, I was surprised to discover she was having trouble reading the letters I could clearly see flashed on the back wall.

Our eye doctor said my daughter had a mild astigmatism, which causes her to have a bit of blurry vision at all distances. Because she is at a key age for reading, the doctor recommended glasses to make things clearer and easier for her.

My girlie picked out a cute pair of frames in her favourite colour with sparkly sides. We picked them up this week. To say she was thrilled to get them would be an understatement!

The decision for glasses was validated the next two mornings when upon waking, she immediately put on her glasses, grabbed a book and started reading. She says it's now so much easier to read the words on the page and on signs when we're out and about.

I can't help but wonder how long things have been fuzzy for her. We were at the eye doctor this time last year, and she wasn't having this problem. I guess it just goes to show that annual eye check-ups for school-aged kids is a wise choice.

Saskatchewan Association of Optometrists recommends the first eye exam to happen between the ages of 6 and 9 months. Preschoolers should have at least one eye exam between the ages of 2 and 5, and kids between the ages of 6 and 19 should have their eyes examined annually.

If you're wondering about yourself, adults aged 20 to 39 are encouraged to visit an optometrist every two to three years, and every couple years over 40 until the age of 65, when it is recommended to get a check-up annually. Of course, consult your eye doctor and insurance for the schedule that is right for you and your family.

All Saskatchewan children under the age of 18, as well as all patients diagnosed with diabetes, are covered by Saskatchewan Health for annual eye exams for patients diagnosed with diabetes. Appointments for any eye injuries also should be covered.

Around 75 percent of all vision loss is treatable or preventable, according to the Canadian National Institute for the Blind. Regular eye check-ups are important to catch eye disease in its earliest stages, even before symptoms appear. So I have to ask: have you gotten your family's eyes checked lately?