A new program on P.E.I. is offering free eye exams to young children as well as glasses for those who need them.

Health Minister Doug Currie said the Eye See … Eye Learn program is important for children’s education.

“I am extremely pleased to offer a program that will focus on the prevention, early detection and management of eye and vision problems in young children to give them the best start in their education,” said Currie in a news release.

As of this month, children who started kindergarten in September 2014 are eligible for a free eye exam and a free pair of glasses if required. For the balance of this school year, the program will also be offered to children in grades one and two.

After this year the program will just be offered to kindergarten students.

Prince Edward Island and Alberta are the only two provinces to offer the program provincewide. It is being provided in partnership with the Prince Edward Island Association of Optometrists and sponsors.

Association president Jayne Toombs said the program removes financial barriers to help eliminate vision-related learning problems.

The province expects to spend about $90,000 on the program in the first year and $30,000 annually after that.