Social Paediatrics in Saskatoon in Association with St. Mary's

examinations, and that children under the age of 18 are eligible to receive on optometric
examination every 12 months with the costs covered by the Ministry of Health.
In Saskatchewan, the provincial government covers the cost of one eye exam
every year for all children under the age of 18. However, Saskatchewan Health statistics
reported that as of September 2009 only 34% of age 5 children in Saskatchewan received
an eye examination.
A complete eye health and vision exam is a critical part of maintaining a child’s
health and well-being, similar to regular immunizations and physician exams. An eye
exam is important for a number of reasons: research shows that nearly 25% of schoolaged
children have vision problems, while 80% of what children learn is obtained
through eyesight. Children with visual problems may not know a problem exists, and
therefore may not bring it to their parents’ attention. Undetected and untreated vision
problems can affect a child’s ability to read, learn, and participate in childhood activities.
Untreated vision problems may result in developmental delays, behavioral, and social
problems. As well, visual demands are dramatically increasing with the exponential use
of digital devices. All of this information is obtained and managed visually (i.e.
computers, cell phones, Smart Boards in classrooms), and comfortable vision at near and
at distance are important to ensure this information is perceived correctly.
In 2006, the Canadian Journal of Public Health published the paper “Health
Disparity by Neighbourhood Income” (Lemstra et.al. 2006). This study identified the
increasing gap in health equity in Saskatoon and the need for the community to work
together to improve the health outcomes of people living in the city’s low-income
neighbourhoods.
Access and coordination were identified as important barriers preventing children
within the core area to obtain an eye examination. Establishing the Eye See Eye Learn
Optometric Clinic would reduce and hopefully eliminate these barriers. Building
alliances with the Great Saskatoon Catholic School Division, local optometrists,
optometric industry partners, and the Saskatoon Tribal Council and school liaisons made
the clinic possible.
The Eye See Eye Learn Optometric Clinic opened April 20, 2010 on the third
floor of St Mary’s School. A media event held on June 15, 2010 in the school library was
well attended by political influencers, media personnel and affiliates of the program. The
period of April and May were used to coordinate equipment, streamline processes and
develop a referral and appointment schedule.
© Greater Saskatoon Catholic School Division 2011 41