The room falls quiet as Dr. Alejandro Oliver finishes examining seven-year-old Mia’s eyes. The small examination room at Timmins and District Hospital feels warm despite the February chill outside. Mia’s mother watches anxiously as the ophthalmologist clicks off his penlight.
“Her vision is developing perfectly,” he says with a reassuring smile. “But remember, regular checkups are crucial at this age.”
As Mia swings her legs from the examination chair, I’m reminded why I’ve come to meet with Dr. Oliver. For many parents across Northern Ontario, eye care knowledge remains frustratingly limited, even as digital screen time increases and outdoor play decreases among children.
“I see too many children only after problems have developed,” Dr. Oliver tells me as we sit in his modest office. Through the window, snowflakes dance across the hospital parking lot. “Early intervention is everything in pediatric eye care. The visual system develops rapidly in the first years of life and continues maturing until around age seven or eight.”
This critical window concerns Dr. Oliver, who joined Timmins and District Hospital in 2018 after training at McGill University. Since arriving, he’s made pediatric vision a cornerstone of his practice.
According to the Canadian Association of Optometrists, one in four school-aged children has a vision problem, yet only 14 percent of children under six have had comprehensive eye exams. In northern communities, where specialist access can be limited, these numbers may be even more concerning.
“Parents often don’t realize that school vision screenings miss up to 43 percent of vision problems,” Dr. Oliver explains, referencing a 2018 study from the University of Waterloo’s School of Optometry. “These screenings typically only test distance vision. They miss problems with near vision, eye coordination, focusing ability, and eye health.”
Later that afternoon, I join Dr. Oliver in the hospital cafeteria. Outside the windows, the Timmins landscape lies under a blanket of snow. Two nurses stop by our table to greet him warmly—he’s clearly become a valued member of this close-knit medical community.
Between sips of coffee, Dr. Oliver shares his top recommendations for parents:
“First, know when to schedule comprehensive eye exams. The Canadian Association of Optometrists recommends a first exam between six and nine months, another between two and five years, and annual exams through the school years.”
He pauses to greet an elderly patient who stops by our table before continuing, “Second, limit screen time and follow the 20-20-20 rule. Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. This helps prevent digital eye strain.”
The most passionate moment in our conversation comes when discussing outdoor time. “Children who spend more time outdoors have a lower risk of developing myopia—nearsightedness,” he says, his voice carrying a hint of his Spanish accent. “Studies from Canada and around the world show that two hours of outdoor time daily can reduce the risk of myopia by up to 50 percent.”
I think of my nephew, who spends hours on his tablet, rarely venturing into the backyard even during summer.
Dr. Oliver notes my concern. “It’s the combination of natural light and focusing on distant objects that seems protective. Even in our northern winters, finding ways to get children outside is valuable.”
For Tracy Levesque, a kindergarten teacher I speak with later at Northern Lights Elementary School, these recommendations have transformed her classroom. “We’ve introduced ‘eye breaks’ throughout the day,” she explains as her students work on an art project. “And we prioritize outdoor time, even in winter.”
She’s noticed fewer complaints of headaches and improved attention spans since implementing these changes last year. “Children seem calmer after outdoor time, more ready to focus on close work.”
Back at the hospital, Dr. Oliver shows me common signs that might indicate vision problems in children: frequent eye rubbing, squinting, head tilting, poor concentration, avoiding reading, or holding books unusually close.
“Trust your instincts,” he advises parents. “If you notice these behaviors, don’t wait for the next scheduled checkup.”
For families in remote northern communities, access remains a challenge. Dr. Oliver partners with outreach programs that bring eye care services to underserved areas. He’s also an advocate for telehealth screenings as a first step for communities without resident specialists.
“The Ontario Health Insurance Plan covers annual eye exams for children under 20,” he reminds me. “Financial barriers shouldn’t prevent essential care.”
According to Health Canada, proper nutrition also plays a role in eye development. Dr. Oliver recommends foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin A, and vitamin C—salmon, leafy greens, eggs, and colorful fruits and vegetables support overall eye health.
As our conversation winds down, Dr. Oliver shares a final thought. “Prevention is always better than treatment. Many serious eye conditions are preventable or manageable when caught early.”
When I leave the hospital, the snow has stopped falling. Children are walking home from school, some stopping to throw snowballs or build tiny snowmen. I think about Dr. Oliver’s passion for pediatric eye care and his commitment to this northern community.
For parents across Canada—whether in urban centers or remote northern towns—his message is clear: prioritize comprehensive eye exams, limit screen time, encourage outdoor play, watch for warning signs, and remember that healthy vision is about more than just seeing clearly. It’s about giving children the visual foundation they need to explore, learn, and engage with the world around them.
The sun breaks through the clouds as I head to my car, casting long shadows across the snow-covered landscape. In the distance, I see a mother and child throwing snowballs, their laughter carrying through the crisp air—a perfect picture of the outdoor play Dr. Oliver so passionately prescribes.
