Topic Overview

Use the guidelines below to schedule routine vision checks and eye examinations with an ophthalmologist or optometrist.

The Canadian Pediatric Society recommends screening to detect lazy eye (amblyopia), misaligned eyes (strabismus), and defects in visual acuity in children younger than 5 years of age.^{footnote 1} For preschoolers with no vision problems and no family history of childhood eye problems:^{footnote 1}

• Many experts recommend that children have their vision tested between the ages of 3 and 5 years.
• Children who have no vision problems and no family history of childhood eye problems may have their eyes tested during a health check-up or at school.
• If there is a family history of childhood eye problems, a vision examination should be done by an eye doctor.

School-age children and teenagers with no vision problems should have their vision checked every 18 to 24 months.

Children and teenagers with nearsightedness or other refractive errors should have their vision checked at least once a year. Children with severe or rapidly worsening nearsightedness will need examinations more often.