Focusing on Your Family
It’s never too early to focus on your children’s eye health and vision. Their sense of sight is important at every age and every stage of development.
Our optometrists are experienced with children and can put them at ease. Many kids even think their eye exams are fun! And, if your child does need glasses, we offer a wide selection of colours and styles that will make them smile. We can also help address common vision concerns in children, like amblyopia (lazy eye) and strabismus (crossed eyes).
Book their appointment today to help set them up for success—and a lifetime of healthy vision.
When Do Children Need Eye Exams?
The Canadian Association of Optometrists recommends that children have:
- A comprehensive exam to establish a baseline between the ages of 6 and 9 months
- Another comprehensive exam as they grow and develop between the ages of 2 and 5
- Annual, comprehensive exams from age 6 and continuing until adulthood
Proper vision can be beneficial for your child’s success—in life and in academics. Beyond just seeing what’s in front of them at school, visual skills are needed for social, cognitive, and motor skill development.
Book your child’s eye exam today!
Valuable Visual Skills
Children aren’t born with the visual skills they need—they develop them over time.
Good visual skills can help set your child up for success. Whether it’s reading, interacting with other kids, throwing a ball around outside, or seeing what the teacher writes on the board, eyesight is involved.
Children who start school with undiagnosed vision problems may struggle to keep up in class. They may be misdiagnosed with ADHD or another behavioural disorder.
Undiagnosed vision problems can also lead to:
- Higher risk of dropping out of school
- Learning at a slower rate than their peers
- Behavioural and disciplinary problems
Eye Exams for Children
We make eye exams fun and comfortable for kids, with a relaxed environment and a wide selection of children’s eyewear. Annual eye exams are recommended for children to support healthy vision, detect early issues, and help them succeed at school and in sports.
Learn more about our children’s eye exams. Our team is also ready to handle eye injuries or urgent concerns in Kamloops.
Stages of Sight
There are many milestones in a baby’s visual progression. Here’s what to expect at some important stages:
- Birth to 1 Month: Your baby should be staring at bright lights or faces, albeit for a short period.
- 1 to 3 Months: They’ll begin to look toward sounds and follow objects horizontally.
- 3 to 5 Months: Babies begin to reach for objects and see differences between colours.
- 5 to 7 Months: Hand-eye coordination will begin to develop, and your baby should start looking at distant objects.
- 7 to 12 Months: Depth perception, focusing, and other visual skills should be developed, and your baby might begin to copy facial expressions they see.
As children get older, you can help encourage their healthy visual development by playing look-and-find games like Where’s Waldo, doing word searches and maze games together, and limiting their screen time.
To help your child develop healthy visual skills, be sure to bring them in for comprehensive eye exams.
How Do I Know If My Child Needs Glasses?
If they are experiencing a vision issue, children are often unable to articulate the problem—they might not even know there is a problem. Unlike adults, children have not established a baseline of what proper vision looks like for them.
Kids can experience signs or symptoms that may not seem visual—like tiredness, poor concentration, or difficulty keeping their place while reading. They may develop vision problems standard glasses can’t correct alone, like strabismus (eye-turn) or amblyopia (lazy eye), which can affect how their vision develops.
Bringing your child for regular eye exams lets us establish that baseline so we take the time to evaluate their symptoms. By detecting vision problems early on, we can give them appropriate support—whether they need glasses or other personalized care. Book their appointment today!
Comprehensive Eye Exams in Kamloops
Clear vision starts with a thorough eye exam, and we provide complete exams for every age, from your child’s first eye check to ongoing care for adults and seniors. We offer:
- Children’s eye exams to support learning and healthy development
- Adult and senior exams that monitor changes in vision and eye health over time
- Diabetic eye exams to detect early signs of complications before they affect sight
- Contact lens exams and fittings for comfortable, clear vision with the right lenses for your lifestyle
Our doctors look beyond just updating your prescription, checking the overall health of your eyes to help protect your vision long-term. Book your comprehensive eye exam today and give your vision the care it deserves.
Come Visit Us In Kamloops
Where to Find Us
You can find us on Notre Dame Drive, right across from Kamloops Hyundai and Lordco Autoparts.
Where to Park
There is plenty of parking available outside the clinic. We look forward to welcoming you and your family to our practice!
Our Address
- 945 Notre Dame Drive
- Kamloops, BC V2C 5N9
Contact Information
- Phone: 250-828-1554
- Email: optometry@summiteyecare.ca
Hours Of Operation
Closed on Statutory Holidays & Long Weekends
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Summit Eyecare Centre
- 945 Notre Dame Drive
- Kamloops, BC V2C 5N9
- Phone: 250-828-1554
- Email: optometry@summiteyecare.ca