How often should I have an eye exam?

The Canadian Association of Optometrists suggests ANNUAL eye health and vision examinations for all children, adults over forty, contact lens wearers, and for those individuals with medical conditions or family history that can affect your eye health.  All other patients need be examined every two years.

Do I have coverage for my eye exam?

You may still have full or partial coverage for an eye exam through OHIP if you are 19 or under, 65 or over, have an eye disease, or have a systemic disease like diabetes that can affect eye health as noted by your family physician.   Most extended medical plans also cover all or part of your exam.

What systemic disorders can affect the eyes?

At what age should children have their first eye exam?

Children should have a routine eye exam by the age of 3 at the latest. If there is an eye turned in or out, white pupil reflex, squinting, excessive eye rubbing, red eyes, tearing, uneven pupil size or were born prematurely they should be seen as soon as the problem appears.

How can you get accurate results with an eye exam on young children?

There is a special eye chart for children made with shapes such as a duck, horse, flower, hand, car and telephone. This can be used for most children over the age of 3.

However at any age the level of vision can be determined by an objective technique called retinoscopy. With a special tool an optometrist focuses light on the retina and can determine the amount of far-sightedness, near-sightedness and astigmatism. If the prescription is high or uneven between the eyes it is important to know early to prevent a lazy eye.

How often should children have an eye exam?

Children should have their eyes examined annually as 80% of their learning is visual. As we grow the shape and length of the eyes change and can cause refractive error changes at different ages.

They are covered for a major eye exam once per year and are also covered for ocular emergencies which includes red eyes, headaches, blurred vision and other ocular problems that may present.

How long will my eye exam take?

An adult eye exam is approximately 45 minutes and 30 minutes for a routine child exam. Your first visit to the office may be slightly longer to establish your ocular and health history. There is a new patient form on the home page that can be downloaded and filled out prior to your visit to streamline your exam.

What should I do if I have an ocular emergency after hours?

If the office is closed and you are having an emergency proceed to your nearest emergency room.  Sudden loss of vision, flashing lights, sudden numerous floaters, a curtain shadow over your vision are examples of ocular emergencies that need to be dealt with in a timely fashion.

What should I bring to my eye exam?

Please bring your health card, latest spectacles, contact lens information, list of medications, allergies, and sunglasses.

If it is your first visit to the office the new patient information form can be downloaded and filled out prior to arrival.

Eye drops to dilate the pupils are often instilled and you may be more comfortable having a driver with you since the drops will blur your near vision for approximately 45 minutes and the pupils will be enlarged for 3-5 hours leaving you light sensitive.

Can I wear my spectacles after cataract surgery?

The intraocular lens implant placed in the eye during cataract surgery changes the power of the eye and it is very rare that your prescription prior to surgery will remain the same. Your optometrist will check your prescription and make changes as necessary, usually about 3- 4 weeks after the surgery once the eye is healed.