Personalized Care and Guidance
Adult Eye Exam
An eye exam performed by an optometrist looks at the entire eye health and visual system, as well as your prescription. It is an important part of preventative health care: think of an eye exam as a physical for your eyes. Eye exams can detect eye diseases and disorders such as glaucoma, cataracts, retinal detachment, and macular degeneration. It can also detect other health problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure and brain tumors.
Our office will use automated computerized instruments to provide an estimate of the prescription prior to providing a more detailed refraction; however, your doctor will use their extensive training and experience, together with professional judgment, to direct the testing and interpret the results. Only on this basis can an accurate optical prescription be determined and customized to the patient’s visual needs. Many serious eye conditions don’t have obvious symptoms. Some eye diseases only show symptoms when the condition is advanced, difficult, or even impossible to treat. A comprehensive eye exam provides the full assurance of vision and eye health. A store sight test or a school vision screening does nothing to determine if your eyes are healthy. Recommendations for future eye care can be made based on the history of eye health and the results of the examination. The final analysis of the eye exam includes an optometrist’s professional knowledge, training, experience and judgment.
Routine eye exams by an optometrist ensure good vision, eye health and peace of mind.
Senior Eye Exam
As most people age, their vision needs change. Complications often arise and getting expert care from an optometrist is critical. There are many diseases of the eye which become more common with aging. Some of these diseases do not give rise to signs or symptoms (e.g. glaucoma and early macular degeneration). There are also “normal” changes of vision with age in which our eyes are not as sensitive as previously. These include changes in:
Visual acuity (detail vision)
Contrast sensitivity (ability to detect lower contrasts)
Glare sensitivity and dark adaptation
As the visual system adapts to these changes, we are often not aware of them. Additionally, our glasses or contact lens prescription changes more over the age of about 60 years. Poorer vision is also associated with some general life implication. People with poorer vision have more falls, more clinical depression, experience less independence and privacy, more social isolation, decreased cognitive function and decreased quality of life. So, optimizing vision can help to alleviate these systemic and life changing conditions.
75% of vision loss is preventable or treatable. Therefore, at age 65 and older, adults should have an eye exam at least once a year, but only about 43% actually do. A comprehensive eye health examination is the key to preserving your vision and making it last a lifetime. Regular exams conducted by an optometrist gives you peace of mind in knowing that your eyes are being treated by an eye health professional who can identify potential health issues early. Early identification and treatment of conditions that can often have no visible symptoms is key to protecting your sight.
ODSP and OW Exams
The ODSP and Ontario Works Vision Care Benefit provides routine eye examinations (once every two years) for you and your family if coverage under OHIP is not available, assistance with the cost of prescription eyeglasses (once every three years) for you, your spouse and your children under 18 years of age, assistance with the cost of eyeglass repairs for you, your spouse and your children 18 years of age.
To get assistance with the cost of prescription eyeglasses, contact your local Ontario Disability Support Program office or OW support worker and ask for a Vision Care benefit authorization form. Take this form to our staff for us to fill out for you when you purchase your glasses.
Child Eye Exam
Visual abilities play a key role in early development. Optometrists recommend infants have their first eye exam at six months and then continue on an annual basis. An optometrist can complete an eye exam even if your child doesn’t know their ABC’s or is not yet speaking in full sentences. They can use shapes, pictures and other child-friendly ways to evaluate vision and eye health.
Be alert for symptoms that may indicate your child has a visual problem:
• Red, itchy or watering eyes
• Sensitivity to light
• An eye that consistently turns in or out
• Squinting, rubbing the eyes, or excessive blinking
• A lack of concentration
• Covering or closing one eye
Protect your child’s vision. If you notice any of these symptoms, book an eye exam with an optometrist. Your child should have a complete optometric eye exam at six months, at age three, and then annually thereafter to ensure optimal eye health and developmental progress.