Does My Child Need an Eye Exam Before School?

As summer gets underway, back-to-school shopping is top of mind for most Toronto parents — new backpacks, school supplies, fresh sneakers. But one essential item often gets overlooked: a children's eye exam.

At Lio & Light Eyecare in Forest Hill Village, we see it every September. Parents rush to book after a teacher flags that their child is squinting at the board or struggling to read. The good news? It's completely preventable with a simple annual exam — and in Ontario, it's covered by OHIP for children under 20.

Why Eye Exams Matter Before School

Up to 80% of classroom learning is visual. Reading, writing, looking at the board, and using a computer all rely on clear, comfortable vision. When a child's vision isn't quite right, they often don't say anything — not because they're ignoring it, but because they genuinely don't know what clear vision is supposed to feel like.

Common signs that your child may need glasses include:

• Sitting too close to the TV or holding books very close

• Squinting or tilting their head to see better

• Rubbing their eyes frequently

• Complaining of headaches, especially after reading

• Losing their place while reading or skipping lines

• Avoiding reading or screens altogether

Many of these signs get mistaken for attention issues or learning difficulties. In fact, undetected vision problems are one of the most common — and most easily corrected — causes of struggles in the classroom.

When Should My Child Have Their First Eye Exam?

The Canadian Association of Optometrists recommends:

• 6 months — first eye exam to check eye alignment and development

• Age 2–3 — to assess visual development and eye coordination

• Before starting school — to ensure they're ready to learn

• Every year after that — to monitor changes in vision

Many parents wait until their child complains or fails a school vision screening. However school screenings only test basic distance vision — they miss many common conditions like farsightedness, astigmatism, lazy eye, and eye coordination problems. A comprehensive exam with Dr. Alexa Hecht checks all of these and more.

What Does a Children's Eye Exam Include?

A comprehensive children's eye exam at Lio & Light Eyecare is thorough, gentle, and designed to put kids at ease. It includes:

• Vision assessment for near and distance clarity

• Eye alignment and coordination testing

• Colour vision screening

• Eye pressure check

• Retinal health evaluation

• A full discussion with parents about findings and next steps

We take our time with every young patient and make sure the experience feels comfortable — no rushing, no intimidating equipment, just friendly and thorough care.

Is It Covered by OHIP?

Yes! OHIP covers one comprehensive eye exam per year for all children and youth under the age of 20 — at no cost to you. There is no referral needed and no paperwork to fill out.

For families with extended health benefits, additional services like glasses or contact lenses may also be covered depending on your plan. We offer direct billing to most major insurance providers including Sun Life, Manulife, Canada Life, and Green Shield.

Book Before the September Rush

Late August and September are our busiest time of year for children's eye exams. We recommend booking now to secure your preferred appointment time before the back-to-school rush begins.

Lio & Light Eyecare is located at 398 Spadina Rd in Forest Hill Village, steps from the heart of the neighbourhood. Dr. Alexa Hecht is currently welcoming new patients of all ages.

Book your child's eye exam online or call us at (416) 630-4461. Same-week appointments are often available through July and early August.