Alberta optometrists recommends summer eye exams for school aged kids

Do your summer break plans include a trip to the eye doctor? Alberta optometrists are warning of the consequences of unchecked eye health problems for kids.

With the summer break around the corner, Alberta families are planning their vacation, while they prepare what to bring and where to go, optometrists say a trip to the eye doctor should be part of kids’ school break.

Bobbie Oracheski and her four children — River, Talon, Ryder, and Jeter — are checking off their summer eye exam from their to-do list, which is a must, for her eldest Talon, who needs glasses.

“They struggle in school, they can’t see the board, so that kind of puts them behind when they can’t read fully,” Oracheski explained.

Optometrist Salma Kiani says an estimated 20 to 25 per cent of kids going from Kindergarten to Grade 1 have an undiagnosed vision or eye health problems, sometimes misdiagnosed with learning and behavioral disability.

“But in fact, it’s something as simple as just a pair of glasses with a high prescription,” said Dr. Kiani.

She’s noticing an increase in young patients with issues related to screen time.

“More of our kids are indoors, have more screen time, more near tasks, and we are noticing more nearsightedness in children and so if it is undiagnosed on your side of the child depending on the amount of prescription cannot see the board if they cannot see the board they cannot do well in school,” said Dr. Kiani.

The Alberta Association of Optometrists is reminding Albertans of their ‘eye see, eye learn’ program that provides a free pair of glasses and eye exams are partially covered by Alberta Health. Just check with your local optometrist.

“Everyone is covered regardless of their income. If your child is going into Kindergarten starting in August up to when they start at Grade 1, so before they start Grade 1 from Kindergarten to Grade 1,” said Dr. Kiani.

And while Oracheski can afford the exams and glasses for her family, she knows that might not be the case for other families.

“It’s huge. A lot of families can’t afford glasses, they can be expensive and especially if you have to replace them every year … probably takes a little bit of stress off,” said Oracheski.

She now has the peace of mind knowing her kids can enjoy all the sights of summer, and are ready for school in the fall.

Editor’s note: This update reflects a change made to the coverage of eye exams by Alberta Health.