Eye Exams vs Vision Screenings: Why Your Child Needs Both

Has your child passed the vision screenings at his/her school? Here are some reasons why it’s still important for them to get regular eye exams with your Calgary family optometrist.


Your child’s vision and eye health is very important for their development, especially as they go through school, because this will allow them to learn more effectively. In fact, approximately 80% of what is taught in schools is done so visually.

During a comprehensive eye exam, your Calgary family optometrist can ensure that your child has all the visual skills required for proper learning, such as:

  • Eye movement skills
  • Near/distance vision
  • Peripheral awareness
  • Focusing skills
  • Eye-teaming skills


Our Friendly Calgary Family Optometrists Help Protect Your Child’s Vision

At Blink Eyewear, our team of highly qualified, gentle, and friendly family optometrists have the expertise to protect your child’s vision. We offer a wide range of services for children including eye exams, emergency eye health care, and contact lens fittings, to ensure your child’s vision is always working optimally.

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Vision Screenings vs Comprehensive Eye Exams: Why Your Child Needs to Visit Your Calgary Family Optometrist

Many parents ask themselves if it’s really important for their kid to have routine eye exams, especially if they have already passed a vision screening in school. However, there are key differences between vision screenings and eye exams, which is why it’s always important to schedule regular appointments with your Calgary family optometrist.

Vision Screenings Are NOT Eye Exams

Contrary to popular opinion, vision screenings are not the same as comprehensive eye exams. Screenings typically take only a few minutes and are often performed by volunteers who are not eye care professionals.

In many cases, these screenings are only a visual acuity test and are ineffective at detecting more subtle vision problems and potentially sight-robbing eye diseases.

Your Family Optometrist Can Check The Complete Health of Your Child’s Eyes

Comprehensive eye exams performed by a professional optometrist will not only evaluate your child’s visual acuity, but also the complete health of their eyes - including checking for early signs of serious eye diseases such as:

  • Glaucoma
  • Detached retina
  • Amblyopia
  • Strabismus

For adults, your eye doctor can also detect early signs of serious health problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and risk of stroke, based on the appearance of delicate blood vessels and other structures within the eye.


Passing a Vision Screening Doesn’t Mean Your Child’s Vision is Perfect

Even if your child passes a school vision screening, this doesn’t guarantee that he/she has all the required visual skills required for optimum performance in the classroom. In fact, vision screenings do have certain shortcomings, such as:

  • Parents are sometimes unaware that their child has failed a vision screening
  • There is a lack of follow up to ensure that children who have failed a vision screening actually have an eye exam or have corrected their vision.
  • Children with significant learning-related vision problems are still able to pass simple school vision screenings.
  • There is poor consistency of screening results among different volunteers conducting the testing.

While vision screenings can help raise awareness about certain ocular problems your child may be facing, visiting a professional optometrist at least once a year for a comprehensive eye health checkup is ALWAYS recommended.


Call Today

To find out more about our comprehensive children’s eye exams, and how our family optometrists can help protect your child’s eye health and ensure they have clear and comfortable vision, visit one of our three branches, Crowfoot (67 Crowfoot Terrace NW, T3G 4J8), West Springs (1009 873 85 St SW, T3H 0J5) or Creekside (12192 Symons Valley Rd NW, T3P 0A3).

Alternatively, you can contact our team at our Crowfoot Branch (403-547-5417), West Springs (403-242-0999) or Creekside (403-516-2292).

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Blink Eyewear boasts the largest collection of eyewear in Calgary, but our 3 locations are also home to the region’s finest optometrists. Just as you will not find a better store to shop for your eyewear, you will not find a better vision clinic to do your eye exam or treat your eye condition. 

Go ahead and Blink; what you see is really what you get. Call one of our store numbers or fill out the form below to book an appointment.

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