Mobile Vision Care Clinic

Dear Parent/Guardian:

As part of our commitment to provide the best opportunities for students to achieve success, Winnipeg School Division (WSD) is pleased to announce a new initiative. WSD has partnered with Mobile Vision Care Clinic (MVCC) to provide complete vision care for all students at the schools listed on this page.

Surprisingly, one in three children entering school has a vision disorder. Many of these children accept poor vision and other eye problems because they are unaware that their vision is not the same as that of other children. The Canadian Association of Optometrists recommends that children receive a complete eye examination by an optometrist every 12 months after starting school.

A team of two optometrists, a licensed optician, optometric assistants and eyeglass specialist(s) will attend your child’s school to provide comprehensive eye exams with dilation and provide them with glasses, if required. Parents/guardians are invited to attend their child’s appointment and to help with the selection of eyeglasses.

Manitoba Health covers the cost of children’s eye exams and direct billing will be done by the Mobile Vision Care Clinic staff. For some students, eyeglasses may be covered through third party insurance such as Employment Income Assistance (EIA), Non-Insured Health Benefits (Status) or a third party insurance company. Funds are also being donated and raised for families who have no third party coverage and are not in a position to afford the cost of prescription eyeglasses.

If your child requires glasses, they will be delivered to your child’s school. Eyeglass delivery and fitting will take place approximately three weeks after MVCC has been at the school. Additionally, if your child is identified as having a visual impairment, he or she will be referred to the appropriate specialist.

In order to have your child’s eyes examined by the Optometrist, you will be required to complete the Eye Examination Consent Form. Consent covers eye examinations (covered by Manitoba Health) for your child while their WSD registration is current. Please complete one form per child, in full, and return it to the school immediately.

If you require any further information, please contact the school.

This personal information is being collected under the authority of the Winnipeg School Division and will be used for purposes of early identification of children’s vision difficulties. It is protected by the Protection of Privacy provisions of The Freedom of Information and Protection Act. If you have any questions about the collection of information, please contact Julie Millar, Director of Student Services, 1577 Wall Street East,

Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3E 2S5, 204-775-0231.

DILATING EYE DROPS INFORMATION 

Why do we need to use eye drops?

It is necessary to dilate (make bigger) your child’s pupils during their eye exam in order to get an accurate glasses prescription and thoroughly examine the back of your child’s eyes. It is especially important to use dilating drops when examining non-verbal and younger children so that objective testing can be performed.

Which eye drops may be used on my child’s eyes?

There are 2 different eye drops that our clinic uses: Cyclopentolate 1% and Mydriacyl 0.5%. Cyclopentolate is the drop that is most commonly used. It dilates the pupil and immobilizes the focusing muscles in the eye. As children have very active eye muscles (which can sometimes over focus) this helps us get the most accurate glasses prescription. Mydriacyl is less effective and is only used when the doctors feel a weaker drop is necessary.

Will the drops hurt my child?

The drops can sting a little when they go in, however, the process is not painful for your child. These drops are safe to use and very rarely have any negative side effects.

What are the effects of the drops and how long do they last?

The drops will cause blurring of your child’s vision and will also make them a little more light sensitive. The blurring is more commonly with near work but can sometimes affect their distance vision as well. The teachers are aware that your child may have some difficulty reading for a couple hours after their eye exam. The effects of the drops usually last between 3-6 hours but in some case can be up to 24 hours.

If you have any further questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us at info@mobilevisioncareclinic.com or by phone at 204-808-9407.