Kindergarten Eye See…Eye Learn™ Program

Your child’s vision and eye health are essential for learning.

Kindergarten students in Alberta can receive free glasses if needed

Eye See…Eye Learn™ is a program that provides kindergarten students in Alberta with a comprehensive eye exam from an optometrist. If required, kindergarten students also receive a free pair of eyeglasses.

How kindergarten students participate* (Three easy steps)

Step 1

Parents select a participating Eye See…Eye Learn™ optometrist.

Click on Find an Optometrist and Eye See…Eye Learn™, then enter your postal code to find an optometrist close to you. Call and book an appointment.

Step 2

See your optometrist for the eye exam. Have your health card ready. There is Alberta Health coverage towards your child’s eye exams up to age 19.

Step 3

If required, kindergarten students will receive a free pair of eyeglasses. Ask to see the frame selection available. Your optometrist will order your glasses for you.

*Free glasses are covered by a one-year manufacturer’s warranty.

Eye See…Eye Learn™ program access

Eye See…Eye Learn™ is available to all kindergarten students in Alberta.

It’s important to address eye health and vision problems before children begin school. Children are eligible from August until they begin Grade 1.

An overview of your child’s eye exam

You can’t see the world through your child’s eyes, but your optometrist can. During your child’s eye exam, your optometrist will assess:

• Visual acuity (how well they can see).
• Lazy eye, crossed eyes.
• Nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism.
• Colour vision.
• Eye coordination, tracking and depth perception.
• Eye health.
• Family health history, overall health and lifestyle.

Parents, did you know:

• 80 per cent of learning is visual.
• One in four school-aged children has a vision problem.
• Children with vision problems are often misdiagnosed as having learning or behavioural disabilities.
• The earlier an eye health or visual problem is identified, the more likely it can be corrected.
• Children often don’t know they have a vision problem, as they believe what they are seeing is normal.
• It is not uncommon for parents to believe they would know if their child has a vision problem, because these issues can be hard to spot particularly if there is a problem in only one of the eyes.
• For more information about Eye See…Eye Learn™ contact the Alberta Association of Optometrists at 1-800-272-8843 or visit Eye See…Eye Learn™ .

Eyewear Partners

The Alberta Association of Optometrists gratefully acknowledges funding support from the Government of Alberta.

Your Alberta optometrist is a skilled professional

• Alberta optometrists have specialized education. They complete a Bachelor of Science degree, followed by a four-year Doctor of Optometry degree from an accredited university.
• Alberta optometrists are experts who play an important role in the vision, eye health, and overall health of your family.

Alberta optometrists are trained to:

• Treat, manage and correct disorders and diseases of the visual system, the eye and its associated structures.
• Recognize and detect related systemic conditions and manage ocular manifestations.
• Diagnose, treat and manage binocular and perceptual vision disorders.
• Prescribe any topical or oral Schedule 1 drug in the context of eye care.
• Remove superficial foreign bodies from the eye in or below the surface of the cornea.
• Plus, the independent management of glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy.
• Alberta optometrists provide primary eye care.

Kindergarten Eye See…Eye Learn™ Program: Additional resources for parents

Doctor’s Note video tips

Further reading