The Top 3 Things To Do To Protect My Kids Vision from the Sun:
- Provide nutritious meals that are packed with antioxidants and micro-nutrients like vitamin C, E, Zinc, Omega 3 and lutein, which are in fruits, vegetables, nuts and fish will protect a kid’s vision.
- Prevent your child from any impact to the eye. You can do so by providing protective eyewear when playing sports, etc. Please check out the different types of eyewear here.
- Provide vision correction to prevent kid’s vision from getting worse and proper UV-coated lenses to protect your children’s eyes from the sun’s rays. We recommend regular eye examinations. Children under 18 years old is covered by BC MSP and have free annual examinations.
When Should a Child First See an Optometrist?
The Canadian Association of Optometrists recommends a kid’s vision exam should be done by 6 months of age, again at 3 years, and every year after that time. This is because it is important that any potential sight-threatening condition be caught early to prevent blindness and to allow your kid’s vision to achieve its maximum potential. Children’s eye exams should be performed annually until they are 18 years old.
However, if you have a family history of ocular problems, or if you notice any of the below behavioral signs, we highly recommend booking before the yearly eye exam.
Behavioral Signs of a Kid’s Vision Problems
- Squints, closes, or covers one eye.
- Tilts head while doing activities that are near (50cm+ away from eyes).
- Feels objects rather than looking at objects.
- Avoids looking at books and puzzles, prefers toys they can handle.
- Holding books too close to their face or holding their face too close to a desk surface is sign that your kid’s vision may need an exam.
- Sitting very close to the TV (when repeatedly moved back).
- Cannot stay within the lines when coloring (age dependent) or ignores the lines when coloring.
How Do I Find the Best Optometrist to Protect My Kid’s Vision?
If you are looking for a new pediatric optometrist or a place for your kid’s vision exam, asking family and friends for recommendations is a good first step. However, just like selecting any other type of healthcare professional, it is a personal choice that needs to work long-term for you and your family. Luckily a lot of the qualifications you would look for when seeking a new optometrist for adults are the same when looking for a pediatric optometrist. This means that once you find a great optometrist, they are somewhere you can take your entire family to with confidence.
Confirm the Pediatric Optometrist Credentials
As a parent, time is particularly precious. You can save yourself a lot of time by relying on reputable sites such as ThreeBestRated, that rank, review, and list the Top 3 Pediatric Optometrists. Every year, experts at ThreeBestRated recommend the Top 3 Pediatric Optometrists in Burnaby, BC and put all pediatric eye doctors through a rigorous 50-Point Inspection which includes the below. Your child deserves only the best!
- Ratings
- Reputation
- History
- Complaints
- Satisfaction
- Trust
- Cost
- Location
- General excellence
Convenience, Convenience, Convenience
While your child is younger, more frequent eye exams are recommended. So selecting a nearby pediatric optometrist that has an office in a convenient location, with free and accessible parking, and good office hours will add a lot of convenience into your life. Another consideration for the parent-on-the-go, is selecting an office location that is centralized and near other stores. This helps facilitate getting your never-ending errands and appointments completed without having you driving all over the city. Consider being able to run to a grocery store, make a clothing return, and grab a quick bite, all while taking care of your kid’s vision.
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