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How often should I get my eyes checked?
August 10th, 2017
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An annual eye exam is recommended by the College of Optometrists for proper eye health and vision care. A comprehensive exam includes a vision check as well as the complete health examination of the front and back of your eyes. The eye is the only organ which allows the view to the blood vessels and other structures linked to the general body health. Even if you have perfect vision, many other health conditions can be detected during one of our comprehensive eye exams. You may not be symptomatic to many eye and systemic conditions, and therefore a routine eye exam is the only way to uncover the issues. Our doctors are able to detect many serious health conditions including: diabetes, hypertension, auto-immune disorders, high cholesterol, thyroid disease, tumours and even cancer. Early detection is vital for better treatment options - the eye exam is really a window into your overall health and well-being!
If you are diabetic, or have had eye problems in the past, a checkup every 6 months is advised. There are many other conditions, including high blood pressure and high-risk medications which require routine eye health care. If you wear prescription glasses or contacts, your eyes should be checked regularly (every 24 months at the latest) to ensure your prescription is up to date.
You may have benefits through your employer or insurance provider that covers eye care related expenses. It is best to check what your benefits are, and make sure you are having regular check ups to protect your overall health. We offer direct billing for glasses and contacts orders, meaning you can walk away with new glasses or contacts with little to no out-of-pocket expense after your exam!
For more information, don’t hesitate to give us a call or send us an e-mail; we’re here to help!
What age should I get my child’s eye exams done?
May 31st, 2017
The Canadian Association of Optometrists recommends a complete eye exam for kids starting at 6 months of age, then at 3 years old and again prior to starting kindergarten. Yearly eye exams are recommended throughout their school years. These are important milestones for kids where the eyes and vision are still in developing stages and may need prompt treatment for common conditions. Certain eye related issues can only be properly treated at a young age and any delay can lead to serious long term problems. If a child does not yet know how to read or know the alphabet, we will be able to use age speci fic testing procedures to evaluate vision and eye health.
Furthermore, children may be suffering from eye related issues that can lead to difficulties in learning, behavioural problems or developmental delay. Comprehensive eye exams will ensure not only proper vision and eye health, but also accurate development of eye teaming skills, depth perception, and eye movement skills. These are all vital for proper learning since most of a child’s learning is based on vision.
A BC Care Card will cover kids eye exams yearly until the age of 19. It is important to keep up with annual exams to make sure changes in vision are addressed accordingly. The BC government also provides the Healthy Kids Program which, if eligible, will cover the cost of prescription eyewear once per year.
For more information, don’t hesitate to give us a call or send us an e-mail; we’re here to help!