Location: Alberta, Canada

Regular eye tests are so important because not all vision problems are visible, and what feels “normal” might not be healthy.

Working in eye care, I’ve often heard how a simple eye test can change a life. But when it happened in my own family, I truly understood the impact.

My niece, LeMesse (1), started crossing her eyes when trying to focus. At first, we thought it was just a cute quirk, but it soon became clear that something was wrong. During an eye exam, she was diagnosed with amblyopia (lazy eye). The optometrist suggested checking my nephew, Zaid (10), as well, as this is a genetic disease. To our surprise, he too had amblyopia, though he showed no obvious signs. When asked why he never mentioned blurry vision, he replied: “I thought it was normal.”

That moment reminded me why regular eye tests are so important. Not every vision problem is visible, and what feels “normal” may not be healthy vision.

Thankfully, both children now have treatment plans, and a simple pair of glasses has already made a world of difference. Today, LeMesse and Zaid see clearly and have every chance to thrive in school, at home, and in their futures. 

This experience showed me the true meaning of #LoveYourEyes and the importance of equitable, affordable, and accessible eye care.