Lack of access to timely eye exams is leading to significant, lifelong repercussions for children. CNIB is advocating for this to change.
Many children start school without ever having an eye exam — and many parents are unaware that this is an issue.
“A lot of parents think the red eye reflex exam done on infants is sufficient, when in fact the Canadian Association of Optometrists recommends that children have a comprehensive eye exam at six months, before starting kindergarten, and then every year after,” says Suzanne Decary-van den Broek, Vice-President, Central Canada at CNIB.
When children don’t get timely eye exams, the negative impacts can be significant and far-reaching.
The impact of undiagnosed vision issues
Undiagnosed vision issues can lead to poor academic performance, decreased participation in physical activity, behavioural issues, and reduced social interactions, according to Decary-van den Broek.
According to CNIB, two per cent of preschool-aged children have amblyopia, which may result in permanent sight loss if left undetected or inadequately treated, and 10 per cent have refractive error, which can be corrected with a simple pair of glasses. But children often don’t realize that anything is wrong with their vision.
We’re advocating for all children to have access to comprehensive eye exams
“Parents think they’d notice if their child was having issues with their sight, which unfortunately isn’t always the case,” says Decary-van den Broek. “Kids often don’t know there’s an issue because they don’t know what ‘normal vision’ is or they lack the ability to articulate exactly what the problem is.”
She adds, “We recommend parents visit the Canadian Association of Optometrists’ website at opto.ca. It has a lot of information about the importance of eye exams for kids, how to spot early signs of sight issues, and how to connect with a local optometrist to set up an eye exam for your child.”
Advocating for better access
CNIB, a non-profit organization driven to change what it is to be blind today, is on a mission to ensure all children have access to the eye care they need.
“CNIB is advocating for all children to have access to a comprehensive eye exam before their first day of school and every year after,” says Decary-van den Broek. “Many provinces, like Ontario, have coverage for the cost of an eye exam for children under 18, so the issue is more about awareness. We’re working with eye care professionals and government on a strategy to ensure families prioritize eye health and have access to comprehensive eye exams in their local communities, and that there are supports in place if and when a child needs glasses or access to vision loss services.” Early detection of vision issues means early treatment and better long-term outcomes — allowing all children to thrive inside and outside of the classroom.
Support CNIB’s charter for the rights of children who are blind and have low vision. To learn more, visit cnib.ca/charter.
