When to Have Your Child’s Eyes Examined
We follow the exam frequency recommended by the Canadian Association of Optometrists. They suggest children undergo eye exams based on their age and visual milestones.
Give Your Child’s Eyes the Attention They Need
The minute your child is born, they rely on their eyes to learn about and interact with the world. Children depend on their vision for their development.
Many childhood eye conditions develop with minor symptoms that a child may not notice. Some of these conditions can lead to long-term consequences and affect your child socially, academically, and athletically.
Regular eye exams are essential for ensuring your child’s eyes are developing as expected and diagnosing vision problems that need treatment.
Visual Skills & Learning
Children depend on several vital visual skills to learn, read, maintain concentration, participate in sports, and more. If any of these important skills are impaired, your child’s learning and development may be detrimentally impacted.
Undiagnosed and uncorrected vision problems can lead to physical and mental impairments. Children may experience frequent headaches, fatigue, or have difficulty staying focused and fall behind their peers in school.
Symptoms of Childhood Vision Problems
It’s not always easy to tell when your child has a vision problem. Children often think the way they see is normal since they have no basis for comparison.
Even if your child’s eyes seem healthy and their eyesight strong, routine eye exams can uncover vision problems that you and your child are unaware of. Your child may display signs indicating a vision problem. If you notice your child exhibiting any of the following symptoms, please call us and book a pediatric eye exam as soon as possible:
- An eye turning in or out
- Sensitivity to light
- Excessive blinking
- Red, itchy, or watery eyes
- Inability to concentrate
- Irritability or a short attention span
- Holding objects too close
- Sitting too close to the TV
- Avoiding books or close work
- Headaches
- Squinting, rubbing, or covering one or both eyes
Infants & Toddlers (Birth to 2 Years)
During their first 6 months, your baby’s eyes develop rapidly, and they’ll gain hand-eye coordination skills and acquire eye movement control.
To uncover childhood eye conditions that commonly occur during this time, like strabismus or amblyopia, we recommend that your child receive their first eye exam when they’re between 6 and 9 months old.
Preschoolers (2 to 5 Years)
Children should undergo their next eye exam shortly before beginning school when they’re between 2 and 5 years old.
These ages are critical developmental years. Your child will continue to improve their hand-eye coordination and gain depth perception, but an eye exam at this point can uncover vision problems or eye diseases that require treatment and management before your child starts school.
School-Age Children (6 to 19 Years)
It’s recommended that children receive annual eye exams while they’re in school. Your child will become more and more reliant on their eyes as they progress through school and depend on their vital visual skills to succeed. Yearly eye exams monitor their eyes for vision changes that could impact their ability to learn.
Bring Your Child to Leet Meldrew Eye Care
We know an eye exam can be intimidating for our littlest patients. At Leet Meldrew Eye Care, we provide a safe, comforting environment to ensure your child is relaxed and happy during the exam. Our goal is to help your child develop lifelong, healthy eye habits by fostering an inviting and engaging experience. Please reach out to us and schedule a pediatric eye exam today!
Where to Find Us
You can find us in the professional building on Kingston Road between Orchard Valley Court and Valley Farm Road. Our office is Suite 214, adjacent to the Pickering YMCA Employment and Community Services.
Our Address
1550 Kingston RoadSuite 214
Pickering, ON L1V 1C3
Contact Information
- Phone: (905) 831-7020
- Fax: (905) 492-7020
Hours Of Operation
Monday
9 AM – 6 PM
Tuesday
9 AM – 6 PM
Wednesday
11 AM – 7 PM
Thursday
10 AM – 7 PM
Friday
9 AM – 5 PM
Saturday
By Appointment Only
Sunday
Closed
Our Services
Brands We Carry
Our Google Reviews
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Leet Meldrew Eye Care
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1550 Kingston Road
Suite 214 - Pickering, ON L1V 1C3
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P: (905) 831-7020
F: (905) 492-7020