Do children require annual eye examinations?
Back to school requires preparations such as haircuts, new sneakers, dentist appointments and more. This is a great time of year to discuss the importance of annual pediatric eye examinations.
Did you know the Canadian Association of Optometrists recommends annual eye exams for those under 18 years old? Under the age of 12 it is estimated that 80% of learning is visual. Kids grow quickly and so do their eyes which can lead to having an eyeglass prescription.
Parents should be aware and look for signs of visual difficulty such as: squinting, having more frequent headaches, head tilt when watching TV or concentrating, eye rubbing when reading and having an eye turn to mention a few.
There is more to a pediatric eye exam than visual acuity. Visual acuity is looking at a reading chart while aiming to ‘see’ the 20/20 line. At times children can read the 20/20 line, but it is poor quality and may require unnecessary focusing and strain. Optometrists will also evaluate eye balance by testing how the eyes work together, testing color vision, 3D stereo vision and ocular health.
The most popular question at my clinic from parents is: how much time should my child spend on a screen?
The Canadian Optometry Association recommendations are:
Under 18 months: No screen time
18-24 months: No screen time other than video chatting.
2-5 years: Limit screen time to 1 hr/day; supervised, high-quality content.
6 + years: No more than 2 hr/day of recreational screen time. Place consistent limits, assure adequate sleep, encourage physical activity and other behaviours essential to health.
Designate media-free times and spaces in the home.
Healthy Smiles, Clear Vision is New Brunswick’s dental and vision plan coverage for children under 18 of modest-income families. To apply, download the application form. Paper copies at Service New Brunswick centres and regional offices of the Department of Social Development.