Can Dry Eyes Cause Headaches?
The discomfort and eye strain from dry eye syndrome can lead to headaches. […]
Nurturing Healthy Vision for Your Kids
Your child’s eyes are their window to the world, helping them explore, learn, and grow. Healthy vision plays a key role in their development, but young children often don’t recognize or communicate when something isn’t quite right.
At Prairie Vision, we’re here to support your child’s vision journey. With locations in Wainwright and Vermilion, our team creates a safe, welcoming space where children feel at ease during their eye exams.
Routine comprehensive eye exams are essential to catch potential vision problems early. These visits help your child thrive at school, at play, and in life. Let us help take care of your family and schedule your child’s eye exam today.
Book Appointment
Signs Your Child May Have a Vision Problem
Children may not always realize when they’re experiencing vision issues. Keep an eye out for these common signs:
- Red, itchy, or watery eyes
- Sensitivity to light
- One eye turning in or out
- Squinting or excessive eye rubbing
- Excessive blinking
- Trouble focusing or concentrating
- Covering or closing one eye
- Holding objects very close to their face
- Avoiding books or screens
- Showing frustration during tasks
- Tilting their head frequently
If you notice any of these signs, our team can help uncover and address the underlying issue.ustomized exam schedule tailored to your needs.
Complete Our Children’s Vision Questionnaire
To help us understand your child’s unique vision needs, we ask parents to fill out a simple children’s vision questionnaire. This helps us learn more about potential vision concerns, behaviours, or symptoms that may need attention.
Click the link below to access our children’s vision questionnaire.
When Should Children Have Their Eyes Checked?
Children’s eyes go through an extraordinary amount of change as they grow. Because of this, the Canadian Association of Optometrists (CAO) recommends that children have their eyes examined in relation to their major visual milestones.
During these routine eye exams, the optometrist will check your child’s eye health, evaluate their eyesight, assess their visual skills, and look for common childhood eye conditions. Annual children’s eye exams are covered by Alberta Health until they turn 19.
The CAO recommends your baby’s first eye exam between 6 and 9 months. During the first 6 months, your baby’s vision develops rapidly, starting with blurred light and dark patterns and progressing to colour vision, better eye coordination, and hand-eye control. It’s normal for their eyes to appear slightly misaligned during this time.
At this first exam, the optometrist will check that your baby’s:
- Eyes are healthy
- Eye muscles and alignment are developing properly
- Eyes are focusing together
The CAO recommends a second eye exam between ages 2 and 5, as these are crucial years for your child’s vision and development. During this time, children engage in activities like looking at books, drawing, and playing with puzzles, all of which help develop visual skills for reading and learning.
In this exam, the optometrist will check that your child’s eyes are healthy, their eye muscles and alignment are developing properly, and they focus together. This is also when conditions like strabismus and amblyopia can develop, so early detection is key.
Since 80% of learning is based on vision, children should have annual eye exams once they enter school. During these years, children greatly rely on their vision both in and outside school.
The visual skills they developed in early childhood all work together to help them learn and understand the information they process. Routine eye exams can help them succeed inside and outside the classroom.
Common Vision Problems in Children
Vision issues can affect your child’s performance in school, sports, and daily life. Nearly 60% of children with reading difficulties have undiagnosed vision problems, which are sometimes mistaken for learning disabilities like ADHD or dyslexia.
During their exam, we’ll check for issues such as:
- Refractive errors (like myopia, hyperopia, or astigmatism)
- Strabismus (crossed eyes)
- Amblyopia (lazy eye)
Early detection is key—conditions like strabismus and amblyopia don’t improve on their own but can often be managed successfully with timely treatment.
If your child has myopia, ask about our myopia control options, designed to slow its progression and protect their vision for the future.
Give Your Child the Gift of Healthy Vision
At Prairie Vision, we’re here to help your child see the world clearly and confidently. Regular eye exams are a crucial part of their overall health and development.
Here’s what to bring to your child’s appointment:
- Alberta personal health care card
- Any current glasses or sunglasses
- A list of medications your child is taking
Schedule your child’s eye exam today, and let our team help them prepare for all the adventures ahead.
Book AppointmentCome Visit Our Locations
Wainwright
We serve patients of all ages from Wainwright, Viking, Provost, Lloydminster, Macklin, and the surrounding areas.
Our Address
- 2802 15th Ave, Unit 2
- Wainwright, AB T9W 0A4
Contact Us
- Phone: 587-606-0270
- Fax: 780-842-3443
- Email: [email protected]
Our Hours
Monday:
9:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Tuesday:
8:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Wednesday:
8:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Thursday:
8:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Friday:
8:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Saturday:
Closed
Sunday:
Closed
Vermilion
We serve patients of all ages from Kitscoty, Mannville, Elk Point, Dewberry, and the surrounding areas.
Our Address
- 5010 50 Street
- Vermilion, AB T9X 1M5
Contact Us
- Phone: 587-606-0394
- Fax: 780-853-6504
- Email: [email protected]
Our Hours
Monday:
9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday:
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday:
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday:
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday:
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday:
Closed
Sunday:
Closed
Blog
How Long Does Eye Fatigue Last?
For most people, eye fatigue is temporary and can resolve within an hour after resting your eyes, but persistent discomfort can last for days if the underlying cause isn’t addressed. […]
When Should You Wear Scleral Contact Lens?
Scleral lenses are recommended when traditional contact lenses or glasses cannot provide comfortable, clear vision, often for people with irregular corneas, advanced dry eye, or other complex eye conditions.
[…]
What Is a Diabetic Eye Exam?
A diabetic eye exam is a screening that focuses on catching vision-threatening complications that might stem from diabetes before they permanently affect your sight.
[…]
What Are Progressive Lenses?
Progressive lenses offer multiple prescription strengths in a single lens. This is helpful for people who need vision correction at multiple distances, allowing them to see well without the hassle of numerous pairs of glasses.
[…]
Is There Vision Therapy for Children?
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Can Dry Eye Cause Floaters?
The reality is that dry eye itself doesn’t directly cause floaters. Nonetheless, the 2 conditions can sometimes be interconnected due to underlying factors within the eye. […]
What Is IPL Eye Treatment for Dry Eyes?
Intense pulsed light (IPL) treatment for dry eyes is a noninvasive therapy that uses light energy to help reduce inflammation, restore oil gland function, and improve tear quality.
IPL can offer longer-lasting relief by targeting a common root cause of symptoms, meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD).
[…]
Why Does My Eyelid Hurt When I Blink?
Plenty of common reasons for eyelid discomfort include eye strain, dryness, allergies, pink eye, and styes. Understanding the underlying differences in these causes can help you take steps to finding relief and recognize when to see an optometrist. […]
Can Myopia Be Reversed?
Myopia, often referred to as nearsightedness, is one of the most common refractive errors in the world today. It’s caused by an abnormal development in the eye’s shape. Unfortunately, once the eye physically changes, myopia cannot be reversed. Although, it’s important to note that some effective myopia control options are available to slow or stop […]
Excessive Blinking in Children: Could It Be a Vision Problem?
As parents, it’s natural to worry when you notice unusual behaviour in your child, such as excessive blinking. While it may be a temporary habit, excessive blinking in children could indicate a vision problem, such as dry eyes, eye allergies, or the need for vision correction. A children’s eye exam can assess your child’s vision […]
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How Long Do Contact Lenses Last?
Contact lenses offer a convenient and flexible alternative to glasses in vision correction. Understanding the lifespan of your contacts can help you avoid exposing your eyes to lenses that are past their prime—keeping your eyes from drying out, getting irritated, or developing an infection. However, the longevity of contact lenses depends on their type. Some […]
What’s the Difference Between a Contact Lens Prescription & Glasses Prescription
Glasses work with lenses hovering a few millimetres away from your eyes, but contact lenses sit directly on your corneas. This distance must be accounted for when determining the prescription. […]
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Does Wearing Glasses Make Your Eyes Worse?
In reality, wearing the appropriate prescription glasses can help alleviate strain and improve visual clarity, allowing you to see the world as it’s meant to be seen. […]
Amblyopia vs. Strabismus: What’s the Difference?
While they’re often mistaken or confused for each other, they differ in terms of how your eyes move. Amblyopia is commonly known as “lazy eye”, while strabismus refers to having “crossed eyes”. […]
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Can Dry Eye Cause Blurred Vision?
If you’ve been experiencing blurred vision and wondering if dry eye is to blame, you’re in the right place. Dry eye can cause blurred vision because of:
Tear film instability
Inflammation
Corneal Damage […]
When Is It Too Late to Treat Lazy Eye?
Lazy eye can be treated using a variety of tools like vision therapy, prism eyeglasses, and surgery. Treatment is most effective during childhood, but it’s never too late to treat lazy eye! […]
Why Is My Baby Rubbing Their Eyes?
Your baby could be rubbing their eyes for several reasons, including tiredness, allergies, irritated eyes, or infection. […]
Why Am I Waking Up with Dry Eyes? Causes & Treatments
The reasons behind morning eye dryness vary widely, including:
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Allergic reactions
Irritation from contact lenses
Dehydration
Certain medications
Environmental conditions
An underlying infection […]
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Does Alberta Health Care Cover Eye Exams?
Eye exams are only covered under the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) for children 18 and under, adults over 65, and those who need an eye exam that is deemed “medically necessary” because of trauma or another medical condition. […]
What Is Binocular Vision Dysfunction & How Is It Tested?
During a comprehensive eye exam, an optometrist can check how well the eyes and brain work together. Then, they’ll likely recommend vision therapy—a treatment designed to retrain your visual system to work seamlessly! […]
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What Causes Astigmatism to Worsen?
While many people live with astigmatism without experiencing a significant change in their condition, some may notice a worsening of symptoms if left untreated, with age, and if accompanied by other eye conditions. […]
Do Eye Drops Expire?
Eye drops expire, but they’re generally safe to use until they reach their expiration date. They lose their effectiveness after they expire and may not be as helpful—there’s also a risk of infection. Stay safe and avoid using expired eye drops. […]
What Is Commonly Misdiagnosed as Pink Eye?
Red, watery, uncomfortable eyes—is it pink eye or something else? Many patients may wonder whether they should visit their optometrist right away for an exam or wait to see if their symptoms go away with time. While these symptoms can mean you have pink eye, they may also be something else—like dry eyes, keratitis, or glaucoma. […]
Myopia vs. Hyperopia: What’s the Difference?
Your eyes play an important role in your everyday life, but that doesn’t mean they’ll always be perfect. Refractive errors, like myopia and hyperopia, affect millions of people in Canada. While they share some symptoms and can both be treated with the help of your optometrist, there are some key differences between myopia and hyperopia. […]
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How Often Should You Get an Eye Exam?
Our eyes are remarkable organs that grant us the gift of sight, allowing us to perceive the world around us. However, like all aspects of our health, our eyes require regular care and attention. Eye exams are a fundamental component of maintaining your vision and identifying potential eye health issues, and should be a regular […]
What Are Bifocal Glasses and How Do They Work?
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Can You Sleep with Contact Lenses?
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How to Tell If Your Sunglasses Are Polarized
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How to Properly Clean Your Glasses: A Step-by-Step Guide
For a quick glasses clean, most of us are guilty of a quick breath on the lenses and wiping them on our shirts. But this isn’t an ideal way to clean glasses and could damage your stylish prescription glasses. Rinsing with clean water, using a cleaning solution or a gentle soap, and wiping dry with […]
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Does Wearing Glasses Make Your Eyes Worse?
In reality, wearing the appropriate prescription glasses can help alleviate strain and improve visual clarity, allowing you to see the world as it’s meant to be seen. […]
Test 3
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Amblyopia vs. Strabismus: What’s the Difference?
While they’re often mistaken or confused for each other, they differ in terms of how your eyes move. Amblyopia is commonly known as “lazy eye”, while strabismus refers to having “crossed eyes” […]
Read More… from Amblyopia vs. Strabismus: What’s the Difference?
Test 2
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat […]
Can Dry Eye Cause Blurred Vision?
If you’ve been experiencing blurred vision and wondering if dry eye is to blame, you’re in the right place. Dry eye can cause blurred vision because of: Tear film instability Inflammation… […]
Test 1
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat […]
What to Expect at a Kids Eye Exam
As your child grows and develops, their eyes are constantly changing. This can make it difficult for them, or you, to realize they’re having a problem with their vision. With so many things in their early years depending on their vision, it’s vital that they attend regular eye exams to make sure their eyes are […]
Can I Wear Blue Light Glasses All the Time?
A friend may recommend blue light glasses if your eyes hurt when looking at digital screens like your computer. These glasses can help filter blue light for however long you wear them. If you’re a frequent screen user, you might wonder if you can wear these glasses all day. While you can wear your blue […]
What Is a Contact Lens Fitting?
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Where Should Glasses Sit On Your Nose?
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How Long Does an Eye Exam Take?
Planning for Your Eye Exam When it’s time for your routine eye appointment, or you’re ready to update your frames or lenses, how much time should you set aside? A complete eye exam usually takes less than an hour. However, the length of your exam depends on the tests performed and your individual eye care […]
Do Contact Lenses Expire?
It’s best to play it safe when it comes to your eyes. You should have your eyes examined regularly and take proper care of the prescription glasses or contact lenses that your eye doctor prescribes. If you’ve ever looked at the box your contacts came in, you might have noticed an expiration date on the […]
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About Us
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Our Locations
Wainwright
- 2802 15th Ave, Unit 2
- Wainwright, AB T9W 0A4
- Phone: 587-606-0270
- Fax: 780-842-3443
- Email: [email protected]
Vermilion
- 5010 50 Street
- Vermilion, AB T9X 1M5
- Phone: 587-606-0394
- Fax: 780-853-6504
- Email: [email protected]