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Hastings and Prince Edward Public Health
boy with glasses and eye test chart

Vision Screening

Why is good vision important?

As many as one in four children has a vision problem serious enough to impact their learning and development, including language delays. Regular eye exams can identify health problems and conditions such as a turned eye or lazy eye. These conditions may be treated if they are found early in a child’s life.

Free eye exams for children

Yearly eye exams with an eye doctor (optometrist) are free for children (zero to 19 years of age) with an Ontario health card.

The Ontario Association of Optometrists recommends that school-age children have an eye exam every year.

Find an optometrist

The Canadian Association of Optometrists provides more information about eye health and eye exams for children and adults.

Free glasses for kindergarten students

The Eye See…Eye Learn program gives free glasses to kindergarten students after an eye exam with a participating optometrist. Check with your eye doctor before your appointment to see if they participate in this program. Learn more about Eye See Eye Learn. 

This program ends June 30, 2024

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COVID-19 vaccines in HPE

Eligible individuals can receive their vaccination at many participating local pharmacies by contacting the pharmacy directly. Please visit covid-19.ontario.ca/vaccine-locations for location and registration information.

Vaccine ordering for health care providers

Vaccine orders for routine immunizations and STI medications continue to be available through HPEPH by using our vaccine order forms; however, please note that our vaccine delivery/pickup procedure has changed. For the most up to date pick up schedule please visit hpePublicHealth.ca/vaccine-orders-info-healthcare-providers/.