Eye See...Eye Learn Program

The Eye See…Eye Learn Program provides all pre-kindergarten and kindergarten-age children in PEI with one free eye exam and one free pair of glasses, if needed.

Who is this program for?

To qualify for the Eye See…Eye Learn Program, the child must:

• be enrolled in or eligible to be enrolled in a pre-kindergarten or kindergarten program; and
• have a current PEI Health Card.

Why is it important for my child to have an eye exam?

One in four school-age children has a vision problem. Young children rarely complain of vision problems, because they do not know they have one. They believe what they are seeing is normal.

When children start school, 80 per cent of their learning is through vision. All pre-kindergarten and kindergarten-age children should have their eyes examined, whether vision concerns exist or not.

Regular eye examinations identify eye health or vision problems. The earlier an eye health or visual problem is identified, the more likely it can be corrected.  

Infants should have their first eye exam at six months of age.

The Eye See…Eye Learn program encourages all Island children in the pre-kindergarten and kindergarten age group to participate.

How can my child participate?

Step 1:

Call your optometrist to book your child's eye exam appointment. If you need help finding one, view the listing of PEI Optometrists (link is external).

Step 2:

Visit your optometrist for the eye exam. Bring your child's PEI Health card to the appointment.

Step 3:

Have private health insurance with vision coverage?

Please bring your insurance card to the appointment. The costs will be billed to your insurance provider first.  Any remaining amount will be covered by Health PEI. You may have to pay up front and be reimbursed based on your insurance policy. The optometrist will guide you through this process. 

Submitting Expenses

To submit an invoice to Health PEI for reimbursement for an eye exam e.g. co-pay:

• Complete the online reimbursement form and include any private insurance documentation and your invoice.

Don’t have private health insurance with vision coverage? 

Health PEI will cover the full cost of the eye exam.  

What will an optometrist assess during my child’s eye exam?

An optometrist will assess:

• Visual acuity,
• Lazy eye, crossed eyes,
• Nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism,
• Eye coordination, tracking and depth perception,
• Colour vision,
• Eye health,
• Family health history, overall health and lifestyle.

Should your child need glasses, your child will receive a free pair through the Eye See…Eye Learn program, sponsored by Bo-Optik, VisionTech Labs PEI and the Prince Edward Island Association of Optometrists (PEIAO). Glasses for the Eye See…Eye Learn program are available from the following Eye See... Eye Learn optometry clinics.

How do I contact the Eye See… Eye Learn Program?

Vision Care Programs
199 Grafton Street
Charlottetown, PE
C1A 1L2

Telephone: (902) 213-2970
Email: EyeSeeEyeLearn@ihis.org (link sends e-mail)