Q: First, could you remind us about some of the benefits of
ensuring children have regular eye exams?
A. 80 per cent of learning is visual and one in four students has
undetected vision problems. Oftentimes, children don’t realize
their vision is an issue. And Canadian Association of Optometrist
research suggests that 61 per cent of parents mistakenly believe
they would know if their child is having vision problems. By
ensuring children have regular eye exams, we are able to measure
vision development at every stage. If something is developing
incorrectly we have an opportunity to intervene.
Q. What can eyecare professionals do to encourage their
patients to also bring their young children in for an eye exam?
A. The simple answer is to ask them!
When you have a patient in your chair, ask about their kids and
whether they have had their eyes checked. If they haven’t, it is a
wonderful opportunity to share the age guidelines for first eye ex-
ams. For example, many parents don’t think we can test a baby’s
eyesight, but we can. Show parents the child’s eye chart so they
know we can test children before they even know their alphabet.
Q. What are some ways to make an eye exam more comfortable
for a child?
A. Talk to children at their level. Start by letting a child tell you
something they care about – perhaps the Batman symbol on the
shirt they are wearing or the lights on their shoes or the stuffed
animal they brought along. Use lights and toys to your advantage.
Have videos available for them to watch in the exam room when
you are doing retinoscopy. Sing songs and tell stories while you
work. Have the kids help you do both! Just keep it light and keep
it fun.
Q. How can parents get their children excited about
wearing glasses?
A. First, let the child have a role in choosing the frames for their
new glasses. They are far more likely to wear something they like
and had a role in choosing. If they resist wearing their glasses, try
introducing them slowly, asking them to wear them for just a few
hours at a time – perhaps during their favourite TV show.
Harry Potter did a lot for making glasses cool again, so don’t be
afraid to point out other characters (Arthur, Superman, Junie B.
Jones) and friends and other family members who wear glasses so
they realize they are not alone. When they remember to put their
glasses on by themselves, offer plenty of praise.
26 Optical Prism | July 2017