Hundreds of Vancouver students can get free eye exams in new B.C. pilot program
A new pilot program by the BC Doctors of Optometry (BCDO) and Vancouver Coastal Health could help hundreds of local students see the chalkboards and computers more clearly.
The school-based vision exam pilot program begins this month at 18 Vancouver-area elementary schools.
Students in kindergarten and Grade 1 at the selected schools will receive free, comprehensive eye exams, which the BCDO said could be a life-changing moment for the children.
According to the not-for-profit association representing more than 800 optometrists in the province, only 27 per cent of five-year-olds in B.C. received an eye exam in 2024.
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“Early detection is crucial when it comes to children’s vision,” said Dr.Ā Danielle Campbell, optometrist and co-chair of BCDO’s Children’s Vision Steering Committee, in a release.
“We’re making it easier for families by bringing eye care to the school. For many children, their first pair of glasses can be life-changing.”
The pilot program will be run on an opt-out model and is expected to reach about 1,000 students.
BC Doctors of Optometry
Nine optometrists, including those with rural and Indigenous outreach experience, will conduct the exams in coordination with public health nurses and the schools. BCDO also announced that it will cover the cost of eyeglasses for students who need them.
“We know that untreated vision problems can have long-term impacts on children’s health and learning,” said Dr.Ā Ceinwen Pope, medical health officer at Vancouver Coastal Health, in a statement. “By removing logistical and financial barriers, this pilot makes it easier for children to get the care they need, when they need it.”
The results of the school-based vision exam pilot will be evaluated this summer, and a parallel pilot led by Interior Health in Central Okanagan is slated to start later this year.