OHIP covers annual eye exams for children up to 19, Durham health department says

Children up to age 19 can receive one comprehensive eye exam each year at no cost through the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) if they have a valid OHIP card, according to the Durham Region Health Department.

The health department says it is encouraging parents and caregivers of school-aged children to book an optometrist appointment, citing concerns that vision problems can be difficult to spot and may affect learning and development if not treated.

In a statement included in a March 11, 2026, Durham Region Health Department notice, public health nurse Yemisi Aladesua said yearly eye examinations are free for children up to 19 with a valid OHIP card and urged parents of school-aged children to book an eye exam.

The notice cited research that found one in four school-aged children may have a vision problem. The health department said untreated vision problems can affect a child’s learning and development, and that some issues “can only be treated if detected when children are young.”

The health department also cited a statistic that 61 per cent of parents believe they would recognize signs if their child was experiencing vision or eye concerns.

The notice referenced guidance from the Ontario Association of Optometrists on when children should have eye exams. According to the health department, the association recommends a first eye examination at six months old. It also recommends another exam between ages two and five, followed by yearly eye exams after that.

The health department’s notice did not include details about whether OHIP coverage varies based on medical need or additional testing beyond a comprehensive exam.