Protect Your Child’s Eyes from Day One
Your child depends on their vision from the moment they’re born. In fact, their vision plays a key part in their overall development. From reading and copying off of the board to concentration and playing sports, your child relies on their eyes to interact with their world.
If any of their vital visual skills are underdeveloped or if they develop an eye condition, your child may experience frustration with learning, fall behind their peers, acquire a negative self-image, and may even be at a lifelong disadvantage.
Routine eye exams are one of the most important ways to protect your child’s visual development. At IndividualEyes, our children’s eye exams are noninvasive and thorough. We also provide vision therapy and myopia control to improve your child’s lifelong vision and offer kid-friendly glasses they’ll actually enjoy wearing.
Please give us a call today to book your child’s next appointment.
How Often Should Children Have Their Eyes Checked?
Your child’s eyes grow quickly, and vision problems can appear with very little notice. Routine eye exams can help prevent issues from worsening and break down the barriers children may experience if they do develop a problem.
To check that your child’s eyes are developing and expected and catch early signs of a problem, we recommend the following exam schedule:
- Infants and Toddlers: Your child should have their first eye exam around 6 months of age.
- Preschool Children: Your child should have at least one checkup between the ages of 2 and 5, before they start school.
- School-Age Children: Children between 6 and 19 should have their eyes examined annually to support them throughout school.
Vision Problems in Childhood
Signs of a Vision Problem
Children aren’t always able to voice when they have a problem with their eyes, or they may believe the way they see is the same as everyone else. As a parent or guardian, you can watch your child for some warning signs of a vision problem, including:
- Squinting
- Tilting of the head
- Rubbing the eyes
- Covering one eye while reading or watching TV
- Complaining of blurry vision
- Having difficulty in school
- Complaining of double vision
Common Childhood Vision Problems
Children can experience several types of vision problems. They’re often easily diagnosed during a routine exam and can be corrected with proper eyewear or treated.
We look for the following common eye problems during a children’s eye exam, among others:
- Refractive Errors: Refractive errors are the most common reasons for blurred vision. They affect how the eyes bend light and can be corrected with eyeglasses or contact lenses. Myopia (nearsightedness) is a particular concern, however. Please visit our Myopia page to learn more about this common refractive error.
- Strabismus: Also known as crossed eyes, strabismus is characterized by a wandering eye. It’s caused by eye muscle weakness or strain on the eye’s focusing mechanism. Children won’t outgrow strabismus, but vision therapy at an early age can help correct it.
- Amblyopia: Also known as a lazy eye, amblyopia is caused by strabismus or a high refractive error in one eye. If left untreated, amblyopia can lead to vision loss in the affected eye, but the condition is preventable when caught and treated early. One treatment option is vision therapy.
- Accommodation: Accommodation refers to our eyes’ natural ability to focus at various distances. Weakness with this skill can lead to blurred vision, tired eyes, and trouble concentrating. Accommodation issues can be corrected with glasses or vision therapy.
- Eye Coordination: Eye coordination is your eyes’ ability to work together. This skill keeps the eyes aligned and supports eye tracking and depth perception. Children with weak eye coordination can experience headaches, double vision, and dizziness. They may have poor handwriting, skip words or lines when reading, or have poor hand-eye coordination. Eye coordination issues can be treated with vision therapy.
Supporting Your Child’s Visual Development
We’re excited to be a part of your child’s healthcare team and support them throughout their developmental years. We’re passionate about eyes, and our goal is to teach your child how to love and care for their vision as they grow. Contact us at IndividualEyes today to book your child’s eye exam.
Our Locations
Richmond Hill
Come by our beautiful Richmond Hill location on Tower Hill Road just down from William Neal Community Park. We’re right between Tower Hill-Bathurst Animal Hospital and Aviva Nails, and there’s lots of parking available.
- 9-372 Tower Hill Road
- Richmond Hill, ON L4E 0T8
Our Hours
- Monday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Wednesday: CLOSED
- Thursday: 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM
- Friday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Saturday: 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM
- Sunday: CLOSED
Bolton
Come visit us at our new office relocated on the 2nd floor of the Bolton Professional Building, turning into Martha Street off Highway 50. We are right behind the Petro-Canada gas station and there’s lots of parking available.
- 30 Martha Street, Unit 203
- Bolton, ON L7E 5V1
Our Hours
- Monday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Thursday: 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM
- Friday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Saturday: CLOSED
- Sunday: CLOSED
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Your vision is one of your most precious senses, yet many people take it for granted—until problems arise. Whether you’re experiencing vision issues or simply keeping up with routine care, scheduling regular eye exams is essential for maintaining optimal eye health. If you’ve ever found yourself searching for an eye exam or a vision doctor […]
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Some of the most common conditions children can experience are a lazy eye and strabismus. These conditions can worsen their vision, making it harder to learn and play. If your child has a lazy eye, is it the same as having strabismus? Continue reading to learn more about these conditions, including what they are, how […]
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Richmond Hill
- 9-372 Tower Hill Road
- Richmond Hill, ON L4E 0T8
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P: 905-787-8686
richmondhill@individualeyes.ca
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Bolton
- 30 Martha Street, Unit 203
- Bolton, ON L7E 5V1
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P: 905-857-2773
bolton@individualeyes.ca