Regular eye exams help catch vision problems early and keep your eyes healthy. Depending on your age, OHIP (Ontario Health Insurance Plan) will cover: 

• 19 years or younger :
  • 1 full eye exam every 12 months and any minor assessments needed

• 20 years or older (and you have an eligible medical condition affecting your eyes):
  • 1 full eye exam every 12 months
  • 2 additional follow-up minor assessments
  • Eligible medical conditions can be found here. 

• 65 years or older (and you do not have an eligible medical condition affecting your eyes):
  • 1 full eye exam every 18 months
  • 2 additional follow-up minor assessments

You man be eligible for additional eye care if you are on the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) or Ontario Works.

It is important to start eye exams early because it is not always obvious when a child is struggling with their vision. Children are often unaware of their eye troubles because they do not know what normal vision is. If not identified early, vision problems can affect a child’s learning.  

If your child is struggling to see well, they could have some of these symptoms: 

• Headaches 
• Covering or rubbing the eyes 
• Squinting  
• Tilting their head or unusual posture 
• An eye that frequently turns in or out 
• Losing their place or leaving out words when reading 
• Red, itchy or watering eyes 
• Sensitivity to light 

Even if you have no concerns, your child should have a complete eye exam between the ages of 6 months to 9 months, before starting kindergarten, and annually throughout the school years to ensure optimal eye health and developmental progress. Call a local optometrist and ask about booking a free annual eye exam for your child. 

If your child is in junior kindergarten and requires glasses, they are eligible for a complimentary pair through the Eye See...Eye Learn program. (Please note: The Eye See...Eye Learn program is not currently available in Chatham-Kent. Families interested in participating can access the program by visiting a participating optometrist in either London or Windsor).