Eye Exams
Routine eye exams are an important part of preventative health care. Not only does a comprehensive full exam ensure you are seeing your best, but regular exams aid in the early detection of eye disease. If left undiagnosed, these eye diseases could lead to permanent vision loss. In the early stages of glaucoma, macular degeneration, cataracts, retinal tears, keratoconus, and diabetic retinopathy, many patients still have 20/20 vision. Children, seniors, contact lens wearers, diabetics and those who are considered at a higher risk for eye disease are generally recommended to have their eyes checked annually. All other adults should be seen at least every two years. If you are unsure about when you should come in, ask our staff or your doctor of optometry.
Adult Comprehensive Eye Exams
Adults are recommended to have regular comprehensive eye exams, on an annual or biannual schedule depending on age and eye health.
At a full comprehensive eye exam, several measurements are taken during pretesting before the patient sees their Doctor of Optometry. Autorefraction and keratometry are performed to obtain initial measurements of the eye and refractive index. Intraocular pressure is recorded with a tonometer. Comprehensive imaging and scans of the retina are taken with an Optos or Optical Coherence Tomography machine. Visual field testing is performed with Retinalogik on virtual reality headsets. Finally, images of the meibomian glands in the lower eyelid are taken using the IDRA device. The exam can then include further testing, pupil dilation, diagnosis of ocular conditions, and discussion of eyewear options.
Children's Eye Exams
It is recommended that children get their first eye exam between 6 and 9 months old. It is important to make sure that your baby can see so that they reach crucial milestones in early childhood development. Between the ages of 2 and 5, it is recommended that children receive at least one comprehensive eye exam. For school-aged children, comprehensive eye exams are usually recommended annually to monitor and address any potential changes in vision.
Emergency Eye Exams
If you notice sudden or painful changes to your vision, ocular comfort, and/or are experiencing signs of an eye emergency, please contact our office immediately. Symptoms that are a cause to see your Doctor of Optometry include, but are not limited to, sudden vision loss, flashing lights, floaters, red eye, pain, or double vision.
Our doctors are often able to see our patients for same-day emergency appointments, depending on the severity of the condition. Our optometrists are also licensed to prescribe medications for various ocular conditions including infections, inflammation, allergy, and dryness.
Contact Lens Exams
Book with our clinic to get fitted and evaluated for contact lenses. A thorough examination will allow us to determine the most suitable lens for you, taking into account the health of your eye and your specific visual demands. We also offer teaching services to ensure that you can comfortably and safely put in, and remove, your contact lenses. We carry an extensive selection of disposable and frequent replacement lenses including multifocal, astigmatism, coloured, and rigid gas permeable lenses. Additionally, we offer follow-up appointments as necessary to ensure that our patients are maximally satisfied with their choice of contact lens. The fee for a contact lens fitting and teaching exam includes necessary follow-up appointments to ensure comfort with use of the contact lenses.
Refractive Surgery Co-Management
Our clinic is equipped to provide full evaluations of your eye health to aid in determining if you are a candidate for refractive surgery. An evaluation of your eyes and discussion of your visual goals by one of our doctors of optometry will help determine if surgery is appropriate for you. After a full evaluation, we will send your information to the surgeon and a pre-operative appointment will be arranged. The multiple visits required of post-operative management can be arranged with our doctors to fit your schedule.
Fees for our adult exams vary between $150 – $180, with $47.00 of the exam fee billable to MSP. The cost of the exams vary depending on age, contact lens use, pre-existing systemic health conditions, and any ocular health concerns. Our children’s exams (18 and younger) remain an MSP insured service with no additional fees. Optionally, children can have a retinal photo and scan for a $25.00 fee. Our senior patients are partially covered by MSP once a year.