PEDIATRIC EYE CARE • MARCH 2026
By the Optometrists at Avalon Eye Care, Vaughan • 6-minute read
Most parents assume their child's vision is fine unless they complain — but children rarely complain about poor vision because they have never experienced anything better. Vision problems are more common than most parents realize, and early detection makes all the difference.
Here is the recommended eye exam schedule for children in Ontario, what OHIP covers, and why starting early matters.
All of the above exams are covered annually by OHIP for children 19 and under in Ontario. All you need is your child's Ontario health card.
Most parents are surprised to learn we recommend an eye exam at just 6 months old. At this age, we are not testing reading vision — we are checking that both eyes are developing properly, focusing equally, tracking together, and showing no signs of conditions like amblyopia (lazy eye), strabismus (eye turn), or congenital cataracts.
These conditions are treatable when caught before age 7–8 when the visual system is still developing. After that, treatment becomes significantly less effective. A 6-month eye exam is a small investment of time that can protect your child's vision for life.
The years just before and during school entry are when many vision problems first become apparent and when they are easiest to treat. 80% of learning is visual — a child who cannot see clearly will struggle to read, write, and keep up in class.
Children in Junior Kindergarten who need glasses can receive them completely free through the Eye See Eye Learn program, which Avalon Eye Care in Vaughan participates in.
Myopia (nearsightedness) typically develops between ages 6 and 14 and often progresses rapidly through the teen years. Annual exams allow your optometrist to catch prescription changes early and recommend myopia control treatment to slow progression before the prescription becomes high.
High myopia in adulthood significantly increases the lifetime risk of glaucoma, retinal detachment, cataracts, and macular degeneration. Slowing progression during childhood is a meaningful investment in your child's long-term eye health.
Even if your child is not due for their annual exam, book sooner if you notice any of these signs:
Ready to book your child's OHIP-covered eye exam in Vaughan? Call Avalon Eye Care at 905-856-3937 or book online. We welcome patients from 6 months old and up.
Serving Vaughan & Woodbridge. OHIP & direct insurance billing.
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