by Angela V 
School is about to start again in a few weeks, and while most parents are busy buying school supplies, getting new clothes for their kids and thinking about the school routine, fewer parents are planning to have their child’s eyes tested before the beginning of the school year. According to a recent Loblaw Kids Eye Health Survey, 35% of Canadian parents do not plan to have their child’s eyes examined before school begins.
Loblaw Optical Departments across Canada are hoping to change that as eye exams should be an important part of every parent’s back to school routine. To help raise awareness of the importance of eye exams in young children the Loblaw Optical Departments offer the Kids See Free program. The program provides children from ages 4-10 years old, with one pair of free eyeglasses up to $49.00 and kids safe polycarbonate lenses for free. This program is available at Optical Department located in Loblaw stores. This includes: Loblaws, Real Canadian Superstore, Your Independent Grocer and more.
We recently stopped by our local Superstore® and our 5-year-old had a full eye exam at their Optical Department. He had a great appointment and his eyes were healthy. Thankfully he also has 20/20 vision and doesn’t require glasses.
I really loved the convenient location for his eye exam and after our appointment we ended up doing some grocery shopping before heading back home.
At the end of the appointment we were told to come back in a year to do a check-up. It is important to know that even if your child has no symptoms or diagnosed vision problems, you should still get their eyes tested annually.
Vision changes can occur without parents or children even noticing. Here are some signs to watch out for:
- Having difficulty reading
- Sitting close to the TV or holding a book too close
- Frequent eye rubbing
- Sensitivity to light or excessive tearing
- Closing one eye to read or watch TV
- Avoiding using a computer because it hurts their eyes
- Having trouble seeing the chalk board
- A sudden drop in grades
Be sure to get an appointment to get your child’s eyes tested if you notice any of the above or if you haven’t done a check-up in a while. Eyeglasses can really mean the difference between a child thriving at school or falling behind.
Disclosure: This has been a sponsored post, however all opinions and views on this post are 100% my own.
18 Comments on “Getting Your Child’s Eyes Checked Before The Start Of School”
This is so important, thanks for asking.
You just never know, that is why you have the kids get their eyes checked
Loblaws is always impressive!
This is such a great idea, I think all school aged children should get checked, even if their eye site is low they don’t always say anything, and just before the start of school is a great time to get checked, I love the program that Loblaws is doing!!
Was not aware that Loblaw Optical Departments across Canada are doing free eye exams
Thanks for posting this, a lot of parents forget. We do an eye check up every July.
a great reminder to have kids eyes checked; thanks for this and the fact that Loblaws Optical is carrying out free eye checks.
Eye checkups are super important. It prevents vision from getting worse.
Kudos to Loblaws for this free eye examination of preschool children….
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Kudos to Loblaw’s Optic.
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Kudos to Loblaw’s Optical Departments for giving pre-school age children free eye examinations. I do not know if this is offered in other provinces. I think this is a wonderful public service as children will find it difficult to learn if they have vision problems of which their parents are unaware.
My son has never been to the eye doctor, so I should probably have him get checked out!
There is nothing wworse that not being able to see correctly and really not know it. Children would have adapted to th deficit and wouldn’t know the difference. This is great they off a free exam!
The Loblaw Optical Department is a great place to get check ups. Eye exams are so important for everyone!
Great post – so important to get this checked early.
When I can get a little reduction in price for any service, I’m always glad to return.
Our son just got reading glasses… it has made a big difference!
It is so important for kids to have their sight checked, they themselves can’t know if they see worse than others – as was the case with my grandson just before he started school. It was shocking to hear how bad his sight in fact was.
Getting eyes checked is important for every member of the family!
Thanks for the informative posts. I always took eye health for granted. Never again.