The Eye See, Eye Learn program is celebrating its first anniversary, and it’s already made a big difference for Nova Scotia families.
I spoke with Dr. Maria Coward from the Yarmouth area about the program, which provides free glasses to children in pre-primary and primary who need them after an eye exam.
Over the past year, more than 200 pairs of glasses have been provided through the program.
Dr. Coward says vision is a really important part of learning, especially for children who are just starting school. If a child can’t see the board, is getting headaches, or is struggling with reading, it can affect their ability to learn and succeed in the classroom.
The program is available to children in pre-primary and primary who have a valid MSI card and live in Nova Scotia. Families can visit a participating optometrist for an eye exam, and if glasses are needed, a free pair is available through the program.
There’s another benefit many parents may not know about. MSI covers eye exams for children under the age of 10. In most cases, children can receive a free eye exam every two years. If an optometrist identifies something that needs to be monitored, exams may be covered more frequently.
Dr. Coward says early eye exams are important because they can identify vision concerns before they start affecting a child’s learning and development.
For more information, eligibility details, frequently asked questions, or to find a participating optometrist, visit HealthyVisionHealthyKids.com.
