Eye examinations to detect and assess vision problems are integral to every child’s health, learning and social development. (Photo 108841630 © Oleg Dudko | Dreamstime.com)

By Derek Cornet

health care

All children under 18 eligible for upcoming free eye exams

Feb 16, 2024 | 2:00 PM

All children regardless of race are eligible for free exams during a two-day visit scheduled for March.

That’s according to Dr. Yasmin Jindani, the lead optometrist and national co-ordinator for Indigenous Children Eye Examinations (ICEE), which was launched in 2019 by Dr. Kourosh Sabri in Ontario. She explained the program expanded last year into Saskatchewan and that they first hosted a clinic in Île-à-la-Crosse in May of that year.

“From there, the word spread about this program and we’ve in touch with a few other communities who have been interested in having us join and provide care to them and La Ronge was one of them,” Jindani said.

“We’ve been in contact with a number of chiefs and leaders within Saskatchewan, just finding areas where there is a need to provide that care to the children.”

Indigenous communities face the most difficult challenges of accessing basic vision care. The goal of the ICEE team is to visit underserved communities to deliver eye care to children under the age of 18.

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Eye examinations to detect and assess vision problems are integral to every child’s health, learning and social development. More than 80 per cent of a child’s learning depends on good vision.

“A lot of time the children sitting in the classroom may not know they have problems with their eyes,” Jindani said.

“Sometimes it’s just as simple as providing eye glasses to let them see better. Not often do we actually find they have any eye conditions that need further treatment and care. It is really just eye glasses allow them to see better and it helps them to enhance their learning.”

The health care professionals coming to La Ronge to deliver the service all come from Saskatchewan. They will be at the Kikinahk Friendship Centre on March 2 from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and March 3 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Those who would like to arrange an appointment should contact Kimberly Halkett at 1-306-420-0547 or 1-306-420-4200. Additionally, those interested can email ICEE at icee@mcmaster.ca.

Funding for ICEE is provided by Hamilton Health Sciences.

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com