Back-to-school: have you thought about your children's eye health?
August 25, 2026
Back-to-school season is a real marathon of preparation. Between the supply list, the new shoes and the appointments to squeeze into the calendar, one thing easily slips through the cracks: your children's eyesight. Yet a big part of their school year plays out with their eyes wide open, from the whiteboard to the notebook. Rest assured, you don't need to become a vision specialist to do this well. A few simple things, checked at the right time, are enough to start the year on the right foot. So here's a little back-to-school checklist to help you think about your children's eye health, without forgetting anything important along the way.
What you’ll find in this article
Why think about your child's vision as early as back-to-school?
Back-to-school means lists: backpack, shoes, supplies. Eyesight, on the other hand, often flies under the radar. That's normal, because a child almost never says they see poorly. To them, their vision is simply their own, even when it could use a little correction.
That's exactly what makes an eye exam so useful before school starts. A large part of learning happens through the eyes, from the whiteboard at the back of the class to the notebook on the desk. An exam makes sure everything keeps up, before visual fatigue gets mistaken for a lack of focus.
Good news in Quebec: eye exams are covered by the RAMQ for children under 18, once a year. So back-to-school is a great excuse to book an appointment with an optometrist. Our opticians then take over from there, helping your child choose and fit their glasses if the need is confirmed.
The signs that a child may not be seeing well
Since your child won't complain about their eyesight, it's mostly their behaviour that speaks for them. These are clues to watch for day to day, not a diagnosis to make.
At home
A few habits come up often. A child who squints at the TV, who gets very close to their tablet, or who buries their nose in their notebook may be sending a signal. The same goes if they rub their eyes regularly or complain of headaches at the end of the day.
At school
In class and during homework, other clues can appear. A child who loses their place while reading and skips lines, who struggles to copy what's on the board, or who shows less interest in their schoolwork is worth a closer look. Vision isn't always the cause, but it's worth checking.
When to talk to an optometrist
These signs don't automatically mean glasses are needed, and some have nothing to do with eyesight. But if they come back or add up, they're worth mentioning to an optometrist. They're the one who can take stock during the exam and determine whether correction is needed.
How to choose the right glasses for your child
If the exam confirms a need for correction, it's time to choose the glasses. This is where our opticians really come in, because a good pair of glasses for a child meets slightly different criteria than an adult's.
Comfort and fit first
Well-fitted glasses are easy to forget you're wearing, and that's exactly what you want for a child. A frame that's too wide slides down the nose; one that's too tight leaves marks and eventually becomes annoying. In store, our opticians adjust the nose pads and temples so the pair stays in place, even when your child runs, jumps or leans over their desk.
Frames that stand up to daily life
A child's life puts glasses to the test. Soft, flexible materials handle twisting better, while spring hinges forgive rough handling. On the lens side, a scratch-resistant treatment helps the pair make it through the school year in good shape. These are small details that make a real difference over time.
Involving your child in the choice
Even the nicest glasses are useless if they stay in the backpack. Letting your child help pick the colour or shape changes everything: when they like their glasses, they wear them without being reminded. Our in-store advisors are there to help them find a frame they like and that suits them.
Protecting their eyes day to day: screens and sun
Once vision is corrected, if needed, two very modern realities remain: screens and the sun.
Children spend more and more time in front of a tablet, a computer or a console. On your child's glasses, blue light protection can help filter part of the light these devices emit, especially during long stretches of homework or play. It's an option to bring up with our opticians when choosing the lenses.
The sun, for its part, doesn't take a break when summer ends. Children's eyes are especially sensitive to UV rays, whether at recess, at the park or on a bike. All New Look sunglasses are certified UV 400, which means they block UVA and UVB rays. A good pair of sunglasses in their size rounds out the back-to-school kit nicely.
Your back-to-school checklist for the eyes
Here, at a glance, is what's worth checking off before the first bell:
- Book an eye exam with an optometrist. Reminder: it's covered by the RAMQ for children under 18, once a year.
- Watch for the signs at home and at school, and mention them during the exam.
- Choose the right frame if correction is needed: comfort, careful in-store fitting and materials that hold up day to day.
- Let your child help choose, so they actually want to wear their glasses.
- Think about blue light protection for those long hours of screen time.
- Plan for a pair of UV 400 sunglasses in their size, for recess and weekends alike.
Nothing overwhelming: a few simple steps, taken at the right time, are enough for your child to start the year seeing things clearly.
Back-to-school made simple for the whole family
Taking care of your child's eyesight isn't one more chore on the list: it's a small gesture that stays with them all year. And when the whole family needs glasses, handling it all at once can quickly feel like a lot.
Make back-to-school simpler with our Infini Look promotion. For a limited time, buy a minimum of 3 pairs of glasses for yourself and family members living under the same roof, and save 20% on your total purchase when at least one pair is for a child. Pay however suits you best, in cash or through our flexible financing, and if you pay in cash, enjoy an additional $200 off. One store visit, and the whole household is ready for the return to class.
Every child is different, and there's no one perfect universal pair: the right one is simply the pair that matches their vision, their face and their daily life. If you're unsure, our opticians are there to guide you. Book an appointment for an eye exam, or come explore the Infini Look offer and our kids' frames in store.
Have a great back-to-school!
Buying guide: how to choose eyewear for kids
Finding the right glasses may seem complex, but with a few helpful tips, you'll be able to make the right choice for your child.
How to clean and maintain your eyeglasses
You chose your glasses carefully—now take care of them! In this article, you'll discover the best practices for cleaning and maintaining your glasses effectively.
