Your child’s vision plays a powerful role in how they grow, learn, and experience the world around them. From classroom learning to playing outside, their eyes are constantly working, and it’s easy to miss early signs of vision issues without a professional eye exam.
Every child deserves support that fosters their development, and that includes eye care, even if they don’t need glasses.
How often your child needs an eye exam depends on their age, vision, and eye health. Generally, an infant’s first visit should occur between 6–9 months old, and kids 2–19 should have yearly eye exams.
Why Are Kids’ Eye Exams So Important?
Many childhood vision problems can go unnoticed until they affect school performance, coordination, or behaviour. Unlike adults, kids may not realize their vision is blurry or strained, so they’re unlikely to speak up about it.
Instead, kids can develop habits like squinting or tilting their heads that can suggest they’re compensating for a problem.
Your child’s vision is closely tied to their brain health—the eyes and brain constantly exchange signals to process visual information. With regular visits, eye doctors can help monitor your child’s eye health and assess how their eyes and brain work together.
Certain conditions, such as amblyopia (lazy eye) or strabismus (eye misalignment), are far more treatable when detected early. These issues can lead to permanent vision loss or long-term visual development challenges when left untreated.
Regular exams are be essential for catching these concerns early and helping your child achieve healthy vision.
Recommended Eye Exam Schedule for Kids
We follow guidelines from the Canadian Association of Optometrists to help identify early issues and support long-term eye health. Here’s what a typical schedule looks like:
- Your child’s first eye exam at about 6 months helps assess basic visual development and rule out potential abnormalities early
- At least 1 comprehensive exam during the preschool years (2–5 years) is essential for evaluating visual skills, including depth perception, visualization skills, & eye alignment issues
- Yearly exams are strongly recommended for school-age kids (6–18 years); it’s a time of rapid growth, increased screen use, & more visually demanding tasks like reading & writing
Children with existing vision problems, medical conditions such as diabetes, or a family history of eye disease may require more frequent exams. We tailor our recommendations based on your child’s individual needs.
Signs Your Child Might Need an Eye Exam Sooner
Sometimes, children will show subtle signs of vision difficulties between routine exams. These red flags can indicate it’s time to come in early:
- Frequent eye rubbing or blinking
- Covering or closing one eye
- Tilting their head to look at things
- Difficulty reading or completing schoolwork
- Avoiding close-up tasks like colouring or puzzles
- Squinting to see faraway objects
- Complaining of headaches or tired eyes
- Trouble focusing or sitting still
If you’ve noticed any of these behaviours, try to schedule a checkup. Catching a vision problem early can prevent frustration and help your child thrive academically and socially.
What Happens During a Kids’ Eye Exam?
At Eyestyle Eyecare, we create a warm, welcoming space where kids can feel safe and cared for. Our exams are designed to be thorough and kid-friendly—no scary machines and plenty of patience.
Here’s what to expect:
- A conversation about your child’s health & any vision concerns
- Fun, age-appropriate vision tests (no reading required for toddlers!)
- A complete check of how well the eyes work together
- Examination of the eye’s internal structures using gentle, noninvasive tools
- A prescription for glasses (if necessary)
We also screen for common conditions, including lazy eye (amblyopia), eye misalignment (strabismus), nearsightedness (myopia), and signs of digital eye strain, especially in older kids who use devices for school or entertainment.
When glasses are needed, we’ll walk you through all the options and show you our stylish frames so your child can feel confident and excited to wear them.
Making Eye Care Part of Your Family Routine
Think of eye exams as part of your child’s overall wellness, just like regular checkups with the doctor or dentist. Many parents are surprised to learn that their child’s vision has changed significantly in just a year. That’s why consistency matters.
And we get it—life gets busy! That’s why Eyestyle Eyecare offers flexible appointment times, including extended evening hours. We strive to make it easy to fit eye care into your family’s schedule without the stress of missing school or work.
The Eyestyle Difference
What sets us apart? At Eyestyle Eyecare, we combine modern eye care with the comfort and connection of a family clinic. We genuinely care about our patients, and that starts with helping your child feel relaxed and respected.
Our technology enables us to deliver accurate results with less fuss, and our experienced team knows how to help put children at ease. Whether it’s their first exam or they’re coming back for their annual visit, we can make every step feel smooth, empowering, and even fun.
We also take the time to answer your questions and explain results in plain language so you’ll always leave feeling informed about your child’s eye health.
Book Your Child’s Eye Exam Today
A healthy pair of eyes can make all the difference in your child’s confidence, learning, and well-being. With regular exams, you’re giving them a foundation for success—now and in the future.
Let Eyestyle Eyecare help your child see clearly and thrive. Book their next exam today and discover how easy and enjoyable modern pediatric eye care can be. Call or book online to schedule your child’s eye exam. We’re open late for your convenience!
