A comprehensive eye exam by an optometrist is essential for your child’s overall development and academic success.
Recommended Exam Frequency
Early detection of vision issues can make a significant difference. The Canadian Association of Optometrists, and we, recommend your child be seen by an optometrist:
At birth, infants can see light and dark patterns, but their vision is still developing. Visual milestones occur rapidly in the first year of life:
First eye exam recommended between 6–9 months
- By 4 months, infants begin to coordinate both eyes and perceive colour
- By 6 months, eye movement control and eye-hand coordination develop
If your baby's eyes appear crossed or misaligned beyond six months of age, contact us at Innisfail Eyecare Centre. This could indicate strabismus (crossed eyes) which requires prompt treatment to avoid long-term complications such as amblyopia (lazy eye).
Children should have at least one comprehensive eye exam during this stage.
Visual development at this age supports important skills like hand-eye coordination and depth perception. Activities such as building blocks, colouring, sorting, and drawing help enhance visual and motor abilities.
Signs of potential vision problems include:
- Red, itchy, or watery eyes
- Sensitivity to light
- Squinting, frequent blinking, or eye rubbing
- Consistent eye turning (inward or outward)
- Avoidance of books or screens
- Poor concentration or short attention span
- Covering or closing one eye
- Frustration during visual tasks
Annual comprehensive eye exams are recommended during the school years.
As academic and extracurricular demands increase, strong visual skills are essential for success. If any aspect of visual function is underdeveloped it can impact learning, attention, and overall well-being.
Watch for symptoms such as:
- Headaches or eye strain
- Avoiding reading or schoolwork
- Holding books or screens too close
- Covering one eye while reading
- Skipping or confusing words
- Underperforming in school
Common conditions during this stage include:
- Myopia (nearsightedness): Blurred distance vision
- Hyperopia (farsightedness): Blurred near vision
- Astigmatism: Distorted vision at all distances
Did You Know?
Many eye conditions show no symptoms and can go unnoticed without a professional evaluation. Your child will not always show signs that signal the need for an eye exam. They may not know they are struggling with visual skills, understanding, or clarity to be able to tell you.
Understanding Eye Conditions & Vision Disorders
Strabismus (Crossed Eyes)
What is Strabismus?
Strabismus is an eye muscle condition where the eyes are misaligned and turning in, out, up, or down. It can cause double vision or suppression (ignored vision) of one eye's image by the brain. If left untreated it may lead to amblyopia (lazy eye).
Most cases appear between 0 to 2 years old, affecting up to 5% of children. It can be hereditary, a result of prematurity, or due to eye injury or disease. While rare, strabismus can also develop in adults due to stroke, trauma, or disease.
No. Strabismus does not resolve without treatment and may worsen over time.
Parents or a relative are often the first to notice an eye turning. A comprehensive exam by an optometrist is crucial and is recommended by 6 months of age.
- Prescription glasses or contact lenses (including bifocals or prisms)
- Vision therapy
- Eye patching
- Surgery (in some cases)
Early detection leads to better outcomes and can often restore full function and alignment.
Amblyopia (Lazy Eye)
What is Amblyopia?
Amblyopia is a condition that describes weak vision or vision loss in one or both eyes. If left untreated it may lead to blindness in that eye.
Most cases appear in the first 6 months of life. It is often a result of an uncorrected prescription, strabismus (eye turn) or eye disease (such as a cataract).
No. Amblyopia does not resolve without treatment and may worsen over time.
Parents and children may not even realize amblyopia is present and a routine comprehensive exam by an optometrist is crucial and is recommended by 6 months of age. In some cases, a child may show signs of difficulty with coordination, poor fine motor skills, an eye turn or covering/rubbing one or both eyes.
- Prescription glasses or contact lenses
- Vision therapy
- Eye patching
- Surgery (in some cases)
Early detection leads to better outcomes and can often restore full function and alignment.
Why Regular Eye Exams are Important
Regular eye exams help to:
- Detect early signs of strabismus (eye turn), amblyopia, (eye turn), glasses prescriptions
- Monitor changes to vision and eye health over time
- Expedite early diagnosis and treatment
- Provide personalized recommendations and treatment options
- Encourage equal vision development in both of your child’s eyes
At the conclusion of your child’s exam, your child’s optometrist at Innisfail Eyecare Centre will apply their clinical expertise to assess your child’s overall eye health and vision system, and they will receive a personalized treatment plan.
How We Help
Vision screening alone is not a substitute for a comprehensive eye exam. Up to 25% of school-aged children have undiagnosed vision issues that can impact learning and development. Treatment plans are fully tailored to your child’s needs whether it’s updating eyewear for optimal vision, managing an eye condition or ensuring lifelong eye health.
Don’t Wait – Protect Your Child’s Vision
Give your child the best start possible – book a comprehensive eye exam today.
Call 403-227-3366 To Discuss