Children need regular eye exams to detect problems that may interfere with learning. Children of all ages need regular eye care, even if they show no signs of eye trouble.



One in four school children has a visual impairment. More than one in every 20 pre-school-age children have vision problems that, if left untreated, cause permanent sight loss. To help preserve sight, all children should have their eyes checked by an optometrist at six months of age, then examined at age three and again at the start of school. All children should then continue to have their eyes examined at least every two years throughout school and annually once they become an adult.

Some children will need more frequent eye exams by an optometrist. These include children who were born prematurely, are developmentally delayed, have crossed eyes or a family history of eye disease or injury.