Eye Checkup – How often, what it involves – Children free in Ontario
Getting regular eye check-ups is an important part of protecting and preserving your vision. When it comes to your children, you should take steps to begin this process early. Indeed, it is possible to take advantage of Ontario’s national insurance scheme to get this done.
OHIP covers eye examinations for all children 19 years of age and under. You should schedule your infant’s first eye exam at 6 months. Annual check-ups should begin at the age of 3. It goes without saying that if you spot problems with your child’s eyesight before then you should take them in for screening.
Ensuring your child receives regular check-ups is important. Nearly all learning in infancy involves vision. And it is a fact that 1 in 6 children have an eye problem of some sort. You must also remember that young children have no sense of what normal eyesight is like. They do not quite have mastery of their organs and faculties, which is why it is up to you to recognize the early signs of trouble.
After the age of 7, vision as it has developed in your child becomes a permanent feature of mind and brain. Vision problems will also become hard-wired if they are not spotted and fixed before then. Here are some of the signs that your child may be struggling with seeing properly:
-Squinting
-Tilting the head to one side
-Headaches and dizziness
-A white reflection from a black pupil
If you have noticed any of these things, you should go in immediately for an examination.
You can trust the procedures and results of such eye check-ups. Optometrists don’t examine children in the same way they examine adults. The physician will use a special light. Your child’s eyes will be examined for signs of nearsightedness, far sightedness, eye movement ability, and other basic functions and malfunctions.
Your baby is unlikely to sit still and patient while this is happening. However, there are things you can do to ease the way. You know your child’s habits better than anyone. You know the times of day when they are especially cranky and the hours when they are more sanguine. Try to schedule the first eye visit during the latter time of day. You should also fill out all required paperwork before the visit. This will save you time, and make it more likely for you to get through the examination before your baby becomes restless.
As you know, babies become attached to certain objects quite quickly. During that first eye exam you should bring a toy that you know your baby is especially fond of. That will help keep him or her calm while the doctor works. You should also bring a bottle. It is an additional way to keep your baby relaxed.
It is important for you to establish a sold routine of eye examination early. This will ensure that your baby grows into a healthy young person and, eventually, into a thriving and prosperous adult. Those first eye exams are essential to making this happen