Why are eye exams important?

How often should I get an eye exam?

The ideal timing for eye exams depends on factors such as your age, personal risk level, and whether you use corrective lenses. According to the Canadian Association of Optometrists, here is a general guide for how often you should schedule an eye exam:

However, if you have other health risks, you may need eye exams more frequently. Some risks to factor into your eye exam frequency may include:

• A personal or family history of eye disease
• Health conditions that may affect the eyes
• A job that has heavy visual demands or has a higher risk of eye injury
• Using prescription or over-the-counter medications that can impact vision
• Having vision in only one functioning eye
• Regular contact lens use
• A history of eye surgery or past eye injury
• Significant or worsening refractive error

Remember, these are only general guidelines. Always consult with your optometrist or eye care specialist to determine the best strategy to care for your eye needs.

What happens in an eye exam?

Our eye care professionals are committed to maintaining your eye health. We make scheduling and completing routine eye exams simple and convenient. A typical eye exam takes around 20 to 30 minutes and includes:

• A review of your patient history: During this time, your optometrist may ask about your family history, any symptoms you are experiencing, and medications you are taking.
• Eye and vision examination: Tests will vary depending on the patient, but the most common to expect are visual acuity, ocular movement tests, and a health check of your eyes. Read more about the types of tests below.

For more details on the full eye exam process, refer to our guide on what to expect in an eye exam.

Common Types of Vision Tests

Eye care professionals use a range of tests to evaluate the clarity, sharpness, and overall health of your eyes. During your eye exam, you may undergo the following assessments:

• Visual acuity test: Measures how clearly you see details at a specific distance using an eye chart. You may read letters or symbols of different sizes to determine visual clarity.
• Refraction test: Helps identify the correct prescription for glasses or contact lenses by testing different lens combinations to achieve the clearest vision.
• Visual field test: Assesses your peripheral vision and detects blind spots or other visual abnormalities.
• Colour vision test: Evaluates your ability to distinguish colours accurately, helping identify colour vision deficiencies or colour blindness.
• Retinal examination: Examines the back of the eye, including the retina, optic nerve, and blood vessels, to detect conditions like macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, or other retinal issues.
• Slit-lamp examination: Provides a detailed look at the front structures of the eye, such as the cornea and lens, to identify issues like cataracts, corneal diseases, or infections.
• Tonometry: Measures intraocular pressure to screen for and monitor glaucoma, a condition that can damage the optic nerve if untreated.

In addition, your optometrist or ophthalmologist may measure your pupillary distance, which ensures that eyeglasses are properly aligned for optimal vision correction.