Getting a regular eye exam is one of the easiest ways to protect your vision. According to the Canadian National Institute for the Blind, an estimated 1.5 Million Canadians identify themselves as having a sight loss while an estimated 5.59 million more have an eye disease that could cause sight loss.
October 14th is World Sight Day and like all optometrists in Ontario, we believe in providing our patients with the highest level of care. This includes getting a comprehensive eye exam every two years to update your glasses prescription and to check for eye disease or general health issues.
There are many reasons why patients experience vision issues, including:
● Cataracts
● Diabetic retinopathy
● Macular degeneration
● Glaucoma
● Refractive errors that require vision correction
Having a regular eye exam allows your optometrist to recommend and create the right treatment plan for you to ensure you experience the best vision and maintain good eye health.
Who Should Get An Eye Exam?
A survey by the Canadian Ophthalmological Society (COS), found that 59% of Canadians experience symptoms of potential eye disease, while only 54% had seen their health care provider or an optometrist. People over the age of 65 should get an eye exam every two years, while children should begin getting a regular exam around the age of 3.
How Long Does An Eye Exam Take?
Eye exams in Ontario are available at your convenience. Walk-ins are always welcome and most eye exams take less than an hour, so you can easily fit one into your busy schedule.
What Happens At An Eye Exam?
Your optometrist will conduct a comprehensive eye exam with state-of-the-art equipment that helps them to detect changes in your vision, as well as signs of any serious eye conditions such as macular degeneration, diabetes, and glaucoma.
One of our optometrists will start your eye exam by reviewing your medical history to identify any potential risks for eye disease due to pre-existing conditions, as well as determining whether you’ve been experiencing any specific problems with your eyes recently.
Then they will carry out a series of assessments to check your prescription, your intraocular pressure, how well your eyes are working as a pair, and the health at the back of your eye.
Once your eye exam is done, we will be able to determine whether you need vision correction in the form of glasses or contact lenses, or if you are an existing glasses wearer, whether your prescription has changed and your glasses and/or contact lenses need updating. We will also be able to refer you for further tests and treatment if we detect any signs of serious eye conditions like glaucoma or macular degeneration.
Children’s Eye Exams
Children’s eye exams help identify issues with their vision during key developmental milestones. This damage can be caused by eye problems including:
● Amblyopia (lazy eye)
● Congenital glaucoma
● Corneal abrasions
● Strabismus (squint)
Our children’s eye exams are adapted to their ability to read and communicate, to help us identify any vision problems. Many childhood vision issues can be resolved with the right kind of glasses and therapies if caught early on.
Contact Us
Let us help you take care of your eyes! Book an appointment at one of our Laurier Optical offices in Kanata, Brockville, Belleville, Rideau, Cornwall, and many more. Find a location here https://www.laurier-optical.com/contact-us, or book an appointment for an eye exam directly online at https://www.laurieroptical-appointments.com/#/book-appointment
Comments