Healthy Eyes

Eye health is an important part of overall health and helps kids develop, learn and read. Every year in Ontario 7,000 kids lose the use of an eye because they weren't properly treated for a problem. The most common problems are hard to spot without formal eye tests. We support healthy eyes by connecting parents and kids to services and information.

Babies should have their first eye exam at six months old. One eye exam per year is free for kids 19 and under with an OHIP card. Book an appointment with an optometrist.

School-Based Vision Screening

Brant County Health Unit will visit elementary schools to complete vision screening for senior kindergarten between January and June each year.

What?

• The vision screening is a short series of safe, fun, non-invasive eye tests conducted by trained staff.
• Our school screenings do not replace any needed visits with an optometrist - If parents have an acute concern about their child's eyes or vision, they should not wait for the school screening visit.
  

Why?

• The screening is to let parents and know if there is any concern that may indicate risk factors for certain eye conditions that could require a follow up visit to an eye doctor for a complete exam.

• These school screening visits allow public health to collect data on the eye health of each school. This will help plan programs and services to match local needs.

• This is a mandatory program under the Health Protection and Promotion Act, Regulation 570.

What happens next?

• Every child screened receives a "report card" to communicate the findings.
• If the screening identifies a concern that could indicate a vision problem, the report card will outline the appropriate next steps.

Parents who do not want their child to participate in school-based vision screening are able to opt-out using the online-opt out form.

Please contact the Brant County Health Unit Vision Screening Program through our Dental department at 519-753-4937 ext.450 or dental@bchu.org with any questions or concerns

Find out more about vision screening in schools.