When it comes to your child’s health, early detection is everything, and their eye health is no exception. Vision plays a vital role in learning, development, and confidence. Yet many childhood eye conditions can develop without obvious symptoms. That’s why regular eye exams with an optometrist are so important.
Some conditions can be managed, corrected, or even slowed in progression, but only if they’re caught early. Here are some of the most common eye conditions in children that often go unnoticed, and why timely detection matters.
Amblyopia (Lazy Eye)
What it is: A condition where one eye doesn’t see as well as the other eye, even with eyeglasses or contact lenses. It happens when the brain and the eye don’t work together properly, so the brain starts to favour the stronger eye and ignore the weaker one.
Why early detection matters: If not treated early in childhood, the weaker eye may never develop good vision. Treatments may include prescription eyeglasses, patching the stronger eye, using special eye drops, or vision therapy to force the weaker eye to work harder and improve over time.
Strabismus (Crossed Eyes)
What it is: A condition where the two eyes don’t line up. One eye may turn in, out, up, or down while the other eye is looking straight ahead. This can make it hard for the brain to use both eyes together, which may lead to double vision or cause the brain to ignore the image from the misaligned eye, sometimes leading to amblyopia.
Why early detection matters: Early treatment can prevent amblyopia and help the eyes work together properly, often avoiding surgery later in life. Depending on the cause of the strabismus, treatment may include eyeglasses, eye exercises, or surgery to help align the eyes
Refractive Errors (Nearsightedness, Farsightedness, Astigmatism)
What they are: Conditions that affect how the eyes focus light, leading to blurry vision.
Why early detection matters: Early correction with glasses or contact lenses can prevent headaches, eye strain, learning difficulties, and potentially amblyopia. With myopia or nearsightedness, early intervention with the use of specialized eyeglasses, contact lenses, or atropine drops can slow myopia progression and reduce the risk of future eye health complications.
Convergence Insufficiency
What it is: The eye muscles have difficulty working together at near distances, causing double vision or eye strain when reading.
Why early detection matters: Children with convergence insufficiency can fall behind with reading and learning in general and often be mislabeled as “non-academic.” Treatment can involve eyeglasses, eye exercises, or vision therapy to significantly improve symptoms and prevent frustration and academic challenges.
Colour Vision Deficiency (Colour Blindness)
What it is: When a person has trouble seeing certain colours the way most people do. It doesn’t mean they see everything in black and white — that’s extremely rare. Instead, people with colour vision deficiency often mix up certain shades of colours like red and green or blue and yellow.
Why early detection matters: While colour vision deficiency can’t be cured, knowing early helps children adapt in school and everyday life with the right tools and support.
Congenital Cataracts
What they are: Clouding of the eye’s natural lens present at birth.
Why early detection matters: Cataract surgery can preserve sight and prevent the development of amblyopia and ensure the normal development of the vision system.
Congenital Glaucoma
What it is: Increased eye pressure that can damage the optic nerve and lead to blindness.
Why early detection matters: Prompt treatment can prevent permanent vision loss and protect eye health.
Retinoblastoma
What it is: A rare but serious eye cancer that typically affects young children.
Why early detection matters: Early diagnosis can be life-saving and may allow for vision-preserving treatment options.
The Bottom Line: Early Detection Changes Everything
Many childhood vision problems are silent; your child may not notice, and you may not see any obvious signs. But untreated vision issues can affect school performance, social development, and lifelong eye health.
That’s why the Ontario Association of Optometrists recommends comprehensive eye exams starting at 6 months old, again at 2–3 years, and annually after age 4. Best of all, in Ontario, children’s eye exams are covered by OHIP every 12 months until they turn 20!
Book a Children’s Eye Exam in Ontario Today
An eye exam is quick, non-invasive, and one of the most powerful tools for protecting your child’s vision and future. Don’t wait for signs, because by the time symptoms appear, it may already be too late.
Find a local optometrist and book your OHIP-covered children’s eye exam today.