Eye See...Eye Learn Program

The Eye See…Eye Learn Program provides all pre-kindergarten and kindergarten-age children in PEI with one free eye exam and one free pair of glasses, if needed.

Who is this program for?

To qualify for the Eye See…Eye Learn Program, the child must:

• be eligible to enter or be enrolled in a pre-kindergarten or kindergarten program between July 1 and June 30 of a given school year;
• be a resident of PEI; and
• have a PEI Health card number.

Why is it important for my child to have an eye exam?

One in four school-age children has a vision problem. Young children rarely complain of vision problems, because they do not know they have one. They believe what they are seeing is normal.

When children start school, 80 per cent of their learning is through vision. All pre-kindergarten and kindergarten-age children should have their eyes examined, whether vision concerns exist or not.

Regular eye examinations identify eye health or vision problems. The earlier an eye health or visual problem is identified, the more likely it can be corrected.  

Infants should have their first eye exam at six months of age.

The Eye See…Eye Learn program encourages all Island children in the pre-kindergarten and kindergarten age group to participate.

How can my child participate?

Step 1:

Call your optometrist to book your child's eye exam appointment. If you don't have one, visit PEIoptometrists.com to find an optometrist near you.

Step 2:

Visit your optometrist for the eye exam. Bring your child's PEI Health card to the appointment.

Step 3:

Have private health insurance with vision coverage?

Please bring your insurance card to the appointment. The costs will be billed to your insurance provider first.  Any remaining amount will be covered by Health PEI. You may have to pay up front and be reimbursed based on your insurance policy. The optometrist will guide you through this process. 

Don’t have private health insurance with vision coverage? 

Health PEI will cover the full cost of the eye exam.  

What will an optometrist assess during my child’s eye exam?

An optometrist will assess:

• Visual acuity,
• Lazy eye, crossed eyes,
• Nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism,
• Eye coordination, tracking and depth perception,
• Colour vision,
• Eye health,
• Family health history, overall health and lifestyle.

Should your child need glasses, your child will receive a free pair through the Eye See…Eye Learn program, sponsored by Bo-Optik, Vision Tech Labs and the Prince Edward Island Association of Optometrists (PEIAO).

How do I contact the Eye See… Eye Learn Program?

Public Health and Children’s Developmental Services

Speech Language Pathology, Audiology, and Eye See Eye Learn programs
Sherwood Business Centre, 2nd floor
161 St. Peters Road, PO Box 2000
Charlottetown, PE C1A 7N8

Telephone: 1-844-344-8255
Fax: (902) 620-3195
Email: EyeSeeEyeLearn@ihis.org

The Prince Edward Island Eye See… Eye Learn program is offered through partnerships with Health PEI, Prince Edward Island Association of Optometrists (PEIAO), Bo-Optik and Vision Tech labs.