At Excellence Eye Care, we know that clear vision is key to your child’s success – from learning in the classroom to exploring the world around them. Our paediatric eye exams help ensure your child has the visual skills they need to thrive at every stage.
Why paediatric eye exams are essential for children’s development
Did you know that 80% of learning is visual? Children rely on their vision for reading, writing, playing sports, social interactions, and more. But many don’t realise when something is wrong – they assume everyone sees the way they do.
That’s why regular eye exams with a paediatric optometrist are crucial. According to the Canadian Association of Optometrists:
- First eye exam: between 6–9 months
- Second exam: between 2–5 years
- Annual eye exams: ages 6–19
If your child has risk factors like premature birth, developmental delays, crossed or lazy eyes, family history of eye conditions, or wears glasses/contact lenses, they may need more frequent check-ups.
Infant eye exams (birth–24 months): Building the foundation for healthy vision
Your baby’s visual system develops rapidly in the first months of life, laying the groundwork for movement, hand-eye coordination, and learning.
At around 6 months, we perform a comprehensive infant eye exam to check for:
- Eye alignment (strabismus)
- Farsightedness, shortsightedness, or astigmatism
- Normal visual development and eye health
If your baby was born premature or has developmental concerns, we may recommend additional monitoring.
Preschool eye exams (ages 2–5): Preparing for school success
Preschool years are filled with learning milestones – recognising colours, shapes, letters, and improving fine motor skills. We check for:
- Lazy eye (amblyopia)
- Crossed or turned eyes
- Visual processing or coordination problems
Watch for signs like squinting, sitting close to screens, rubbing eyes, or avoiding puzzles and crafts – these may indicate a vision issue.
Eye exams for school-aged children and teens (ages 6–19)
For school-aged kids and teens, undetected vision problems can impact academics, sports, and social life.
At Excellence Eye Care, we check for:
- Visual acuity and eye teaming
- Focusing ability and tracking
- Peripheral and colour vision
- Hand-eye coordination
Signs of potential issues include short attention span, headaches, frequent blinking, tilting the head, skipping lines when reading, or poor comprehension.
Paediatric treatments: Glasses, contacts, Ortho-K, and vision therapy
If we detect a vision concern, we’ll recommend the best solution, which may include:
- Prescription glasses or contact lenses
- Eye patching
- Vision therapy
- Ortho-K (overnight corrective lenses)
Early intervention is key – many conditions are easier to treat while a child’s eyes are still developing.
OHIP-covered eye exams for children in Ontario
Families in Ontario can breathe a little easier: OHIP covers one comprehensive eye exam per year for children aged 19 and under. This ensures kids can access the eye care they need, regardless of family income.
Free glasses through the Eye See…Eye Learn® program (junior and senior kindergarten)
Excellence Eye Care is a proud participant in the Eye See…Eye Learn® program, available for children in junior and senior kindergarten.With this program, your child receives:
- A comprehensive eye exam with our participating paediatric optometrists
- One free pair of glasses, if needed — valued over $300, with durable, impact-resistant polycarbonate lenses
We handle the paperwork, so you can focus on your child’s health and learning.
Book your child’s paediatric eye exam in Mississauga today
Vision problems don’t just affect learning – they can impact social development, self-confidence, and physical coordination. Early paediatric eye care helps set your child up for success in school, sports, and life.
Contact Excellence Eye Care today to book your child’s paediatric eye exam in Mississauga, ON – and give them the clear vision they deserve.