Eye Exams
Regular vision testing and ocular exams ensure that you maintain your clearest and most comfortable vision possible. Colour vision, peripheral vision and whether the eyes are focusing, moving, and working together properly are also evaluated during your exam. Test results enable us to diagnose any underlying conditions that may be impairing the eyes ability to focus or work together comfortably and effortlessly.
In addition to diagnosing cataracts, glaucoma and macular degeneration in their early and more treatable stages, our Doctors can often be the first to detect “silent” systemic diseases such as diabetes, high cholesterol, hypertension and overactive thyroid. Many other conditions can be discovered in a comprehensive eye exam.
When should I get an eye exam?
Eye exams can help detect eye conditions at an early stage. Regular eye exams are essential for identifying vision changes, monitoring eye health, and providing early and effective treatment options.
Several factors influence the appropriate routine schedule for your eye exam. These factors may include your age, overall health, and family history and risks for developing eye diseases.
We recommend that children have their first eye exam as early as age three. This will help the optometrist rule out common childhood eye problems, and ensure healthy vision, alignment and development. Annual exams are recommended.
Adults and Seniors should schedule eye exams every 12-18 months unless there is an underlying eye health condition or other circumstances requiring more regular eye exams. Your optometrist will recommend a recall schedule to best suit your individual ocular needs.
Some of such circumstances for more frequent exams include:
- Contact lenses wear
- Diabetes or other chronic diseases with risk factors for the eyes
- Family history of glaucoma or other eye diseases
- History of medical conditions affecting the eyes
- Taking certain medications that have side effects that affect the eyes
Common Vision Disorders:
- Myopia or Nearsightedness – near objects are easier to see than things in the distance. The eyes require extra effort to focus and see clearly, possibly causing blur, fatigue, discomfort, and headaches.
- Hyperopia – the opposite of myopia, is a condition in which someone can see things clearly that are far away but things that are near may be blurry.
- Astigmatism – Astigmatism is a common eye condition that can make your vision blurry or distorted. It happens when your cornea (the clear front layer of your eye) or lens (an inner part of your eye that helps the eye focus) has a different shape than normal.
- Presbyopia – usually occurring after the age of 40, it is a natural change in which the ability to focus on close objects decreases over time. It can cause blurred vision, headaches, tired eyes, and the need for more light when reading.
Clear Vision with Contact Lenses
There are a number of reasons why you might prefer contact lenses to standard eyewear:
- A glasses-free look
- Hassle-free vision correction
- The ability to wear non-prescription sun wear and sports goggles.
- Contact lenses may provide improved vision for people with a high prescription or astigmatism
- Availability multifocal contact lenses.
Your doctor will recommend the best contact lenses for your eyes based on a complete eye examination and your vision needs both at work and play.
Success with contact lenses depends upon a certain amount of motivation and a commitment on your part. You must learn to take proper care of both the lenses and your eyes. Good candidates for contact lenses have:
- Realistic expectations about contact lens wear
- The ability to follow directions on the regular care and cleaning of contact lenses
- A prescription that lends itself to contact lenses
- Healthy eyes