When it comes to your child’s health, eyesight is often overlooked. Yet vision plays a vital role in learning, development, and confidence. In fact, research shows that 80% of a child’s learning is visual. This means that undiagnosed vision problems can directly affect how well your child does in school and in daily life.

At Integra Eyecare Centre in East Vancouver and South Burnaby, our doctors are passionate about children’s eye care. We make exams fun, comfortable, and stress-free because healthy vision starts early.

Why Early Eye Exams Matter

Children may not realize they have vision problems, and parents may not notice either. That’s why comprehensive eye exams are so important. Early detection can prevent small vision issues from turning into bigger challenges. Some of the most common childhood eye conditions we check for include:

🔹 Myopia (Nearsightedness)

Myopia is becoming more common in kids worldwide. Without correction, children may struggle to see the board at school, play sports, or recognize faces clearly. Early detection allows us to provide glasses, contact lenses, or myopia control treatments to slow progression.

🔹 Amblyopia (“Lazy Eye”)

Amblyopia happens when one eye doesn’t develop normal vision. If caught early, treatment can strengthen the weaker eye and prevent permanent vision loss. The earlier it’s detected, the better the outcomes.

🔹 Binocular Vision Disorders

This refers to how the eyes work together. If the eyes aren’t aligned properly, a child may experience double vision, headaches, or difficulty reading. These issues can interfere with learning and reading comprehension.

Eye Exams and School Success

Because most classroom learning is visual, uncorrected vision problems can make reading, writing, and focusing much harder. Children may be mislabeled as having attention or learning difficulties, when the real issue is their eyesight.

Signs your child may need an eye exam include:

Squinting or sitting very close to screens
Complaints of headaches or tired eyes
Covering one eye while reading
Losing place or skipping lines while reading
Poor attention span during schoolwork

Kid-Friendly Eye Exams at Integra Eyecare

We know that visiting the eye doctor can feel intimidating for kids so that’s why our team makes it a positive experience. At Integra Eyecare Centre, our doctors are warm, patient, and skilled at making exams feel like a game.

We use child-appropriate tools and techniques to check vision, eye health, and visual development in a way that feels comfortable and engaging.

When Should Kids Have Their Eyes Examined?

First exam: Around 6–12 months (especially if there’s a family history of eye problems)
Preschool years: Between ages 2–5 to catch early issues like amblyopia or strabismus
School age: Before starting kindergarten, then every 1–2 years (or as recommended by your optometrist)

Give Your Child the Best Start in School and Beyond

Clear vision helps kids learn, grow, and enjoy life to the fullest. With early detection of myopia, amblyopia, and binocular vision disorders, you can give your child the tools they need to succeed.

At Integra Eyecare Centre in East Vancouver and South Burnaby, our kid-friendly doctors are here to make eye exams fun and stress-free—so your child feels comfortable and cared for.

Book your child’s eye exam today and set them up for a lifetime of healthy vision.

Children’s Eye Exams: Why Early Detection Matters