Did you know? Alberta Health covers the cost of children’s eye exams until they are age 18. If your child needs glasses though, it can get expensive.
Facts:
- 80% of learning is visual
- 25% of school aged children have a vision or eye health problem
- Vision problems can lead to difficulties in learning
- Eye problems frequently go undetected due to lack of resources
- Preventative/proactive measures can ensure children avoid needing costly, invasive procedures later in life
Here is two different programs running in Alberta right now where you can get your child the glasses they need free of charge.
Eye See… Eye Learn
This program is specifically for Kindergarten aged children. Through this program, any child who has a comprehensive eye exam by a doctor of optometry and requires eye glasses will be provided with a free pair.
Accessing the program:
- No forms are necessary, just book an appointment with an optometrist that participates in the program and tell them you would like to take part in Eye See . . . Eye Learn™ (see the list for Alberta here)
- See the optometrist for the exam – bring your child’s health care card, as the cost of the exam will be covered through Alberta Health
- If your child is kindergarten age and needs glasses, a pair will be ordered for you free of charge (as the optometrist to see their selection of frames to choose from)
For more information, go to Optometrists.ab.ca
Better Sight. Better Grades. (FYi Doctors)
This program is through FYi Doctors and will provide children aged 13 and under with vision problems (and unable to afford them) with a pair of glasses free of charge.
About the program:
FYi doctors will offer a child a complimentary pair of glasses including an FYidoctors private or exclusive label frame and Value Plus lenses each year as needed. Offer only valid with eye exam (which is covered by the province). The program needs to be initially accessed through your child’s school principal. Details below.
How to access the program:
- The Child’s school principal must contact the nearest FYidoctor location to the family which can be easily done via their website here.
- The principle would request assistance in applying for the Better sight. Better grades program and FYi will either deliver in person or mail out the pamphlet for the principle to fill out. There is no financial or medical information needed other than school verification of need. The principle would fill it out and issue a school stamp and give to family to take in as a “voucher” to the families nearest FYi doctor store to initiate the free eye test and to obtain pair of free eye glasses.
Get more information/find FYi locations in Edmonton on their website here.
Tips:
- Ensure the location you have made your appointment with participates in the program and that your child qualifies for it.
- Bring your child’s Alberta Health Care card so your exam cost will be covered
- Note that any optometrist in Alberta will give your child an eye exam for free
- Always ask about any additional charges before committing to ordering glasses. (ie: ask if it covers both the frames and lenses, if there is an option or extra charge for any changes/upgrades, etc)
- Ask about the wait time for the glasses and process of picking them up
- Be sure to bring your child in with you when you pick up their glasses so they can be adjusted as needed for the most comfortable fit
Photo credit: allaboutvision.com