Link between vision and learning at heart of program offering free glasses to N.S. kids

Jenna Banfield · CBC News

· Posted: May 31, 2025 5:00 AM EDT | Last Updated: 7 hours ago

A programme aimed astatine ensuring imaginativeness problems aren't holding Nova Scotia's youngest students backmost has outfitted much than 20 children with escaped eyeglasses since launching successful February.

The Eye See, Eye Learn program is open to children successful pre-primary oregon superior who person a valid Nova Scotia wellness card.

Shawn Creelman is simply a genitor of 1 of those kids. He said his household was informed astir the program during a regular oculus exam erstwhile they discovered their five-year-old lad needed glasses.

"My woman and I are fortunate capable that we bash person backstage insurance, but if a household didn't person that option, it's bully to cognize that children, particularly schoolhouse aged, person the accidental to get glasses for free," Creelman said.

The programme already operates successful a fig of provinces, including passim Atlantic Canada. In Nova Scotia, it is offered done the provincial relation of optometrists.

Frames for the glasses are provided done a sponsorship with eyewear distributor Modern Optical, and the lenses are provided by the Essilor Foundation, a vision-care charity. Eye exams are already covered nether MSI for children 9 and younger.

Dr. Lisa Morrison, president of the Nova Scotia Association of Optometrists, said parents person been blessed and relieved to perceive astir the program. 

"Just to not person to carnivore that outgo load is simply a truly breathtaking happening for those parents, particularly for those young kids who truly bash request those glasses if they're starting school," she said. 

Morrison emphasized the importance of children receiving oculus exams earlier entering school, and said there is simply a transportation betwixt imaginativeness and learning. 

One successful 4 school-aged children person a imaginativeness problem, she said, but children often don't cognize erstwhile they are not seeing normally.

The Canadian Association of Optometrists recommends that children proceed to person oculus exams annually to guarantee optimal imaginativeness and development.

Morrison said astir optometrists successful Nova Scotia offer the Eye See, Eye Learn program. People tin find a database of participating optometrists connected the program's website.