Excellence in Eye Care

Reasons to get a comprehensive eye exam

Comprehensive eye exams can detect vision problems and serious eye diseases early, even before you notice any symptoms (eye diseases such as glaucoma and diabetic eye disease may not have any symptoms in the early stages). If detected and treated early, the risk of harm and vision loss from eye disease is greatly reduced. Vision problems in young children often go undetected as children often will not know how to communicate that they are not seeing properly.

Here are just some of the benefits of getting an annual eye exam:

• Eye exams can reveal other significant health issues - this includes diabetes and high blood pressure
• Eye exams can reveal conditions of the eye caused by normal aging - this includes cataracts, glaucoma and macular degeneration
• Eye exams ensure your children’s vision is optimal for learning
• Eye exams ensure your prescription for eyeglasses and contact lenses is up-to-date for improved vision and quality of life

During your eye exam

The first part of your eye exam is a detailed history which includes questions about your vision, whether your eyes bother you in any way, health conditions, medications, allergies, and family history of eye diseases. Your vision will be checked with and without glasses (if you wear glasses) and the eye muscle alignment of your eyes will be assessed. Your depth perception (stereopsis) and colour vision may also be tested. A subjective refraction is performed to determine your current prescription for eyeglasses (and contact lenses, if necessary). The most important part of a comprehensive eye exam is checking the health of the eyes for diseases such as glaucoma, cataracts, macular degeneration and diabetic eye disease. For most adults, this test will be done after drops are instilled in your eyes to dilate your pupils. Because of the pupil dilation, we recommend that you bring your sunglasses for driving (some patients may prefer to bring someone to drive home following the dilating drops).

Following your eye exam, the findings will be discussed with you and recommendations may be made based on the results of the tests performed during your eye exam. You will be given a chance to ask any questions you may have about your eyes and findings during your eye examination. We encourage asking questions!

Getting prepared for your appointment

Getting your eyes examined shouldn’t be a stressful process. We try to make it easy and uncomplicated. When reporting for your appointment, we recommend the following:

• If you wear contact lenses - if possible, remove your contact lenses prior to your appointment and wear your eyeglasses. If it is not possible to wear your glasses, no worries! We can provide you with a case and contact lens solution to store your contact lenses while you get your eyes examined.
• If you take medications - bring a list of your medications - this is important as many medications can have side effects that affect your eyes and vision.
• Bring your Ontario health card, in case your eye exam is covered by OHIP.
• Bring your sunglasses - you may have drops that will dilate your pupils as part of your eye exam - this will make your eyes very light sensitive for a few hours after your appointment (let your optometrist know if you prefer not to have your eyes dilated).

Other eye care services provided at Bayview North Optometry

• Humphrey’s Visual Field Analyzer - this device is used for visual field testing (peripheral vision test). This test is important if you have glaucoma, or are a suspect for glaucoma. It may also be a test required for obtaining a valid driver’s license.
• Digital Retinal Imaging - this is a camera that takes digital photographs of the back of the eye (retina). This test is recommended for most adults for a baseline and every few years following that. It may be recommended more often if you have diabetes or other eye diseases which require regular monitoring.
• Laser eye surgery consultations and post-operative care - at Bayview North Optometry, we work with highly reputable laser eye surgery clinics such as TLC and the Bochner Eye Institute. If you are interested in laser eye surgery, ask if you are a candidate.