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Vision Health

Eye doctors play an important role for good vision health for you and your family. Regular eye exams help prevent diseases and disorders affecting the eyes. Finding and correcting eye problems early is important for proper vision.

Some signs and symptoms of an eye health or vision problem

The following may be symptoms of a vision-related problem:

Unfortunately, many serious eye conditions don’t have obvious symptoms. Some eye diseases only show symptoms when the condition is severe and difficult to treat. Untreated problems can lead to permanent vision loss or vision disorders.

Therefore, regular eye exams are important for all ages. The Ontario Association of Optometrists (OAO) recommends a first eye exam at 6 months of age, another before starting kindergarten, and another annually until 19 years of age.

Vision health and children

Children may not know that they have a vision problem and can’t always tell you what they see. Vision problems may interfere with a child’s eye health and their learning and social development.

Regular eye exams are important to detect and correct vision problems early.

Comprehensive eye exams are free once every 12 months for children 0-19 years of age, once every 12 months, with a valid Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) card.

Vision screening program for children in senior kindergarten

Public health offers vision screening in schools to children in senior kindergarten.

The goal of the vision screening program is for school-aged children to achieve optimal visual health

For more information

If you need more information, please contact our vision health program.

If you don’t already have an eye doctor, you don’t need a referral to book an eye exam.

To find an eye doctor near you visit collegeoptom.on.ca (College of Optometrists of Ontario).

This item was last modified on November 29, 2024