Why ESEL?

Each year, many children start school without ever having an eye exam, even though 80% of a child’s learning is based on vision. Children who are unable to see the board, focus on a picture, or follow words in a book may struggle to achieve their full learning potential.

Download Info Sheet

Comprehensive Eye Exams

While vision screening is available for kindergarten children in B.C., they are not a substitute for a comprehensive eye exam. Vision screening only involves a limited number of simple tests that cannot detect all eye problems. Undetected vision problems can lead to frustration with learning, learning at a slower rate than other children, behavioural or discipline problems, or negative self-image.

Did You Know?

• Almost 25% of school-age children have vision problems.
• Children rarely complain of vision problems since they don’t realize that they see the world differently from others.
• Vision problems are often mistaken as other developmental problems like dyslexia or ADHD.