Most people think of an eye exam as a quick check to see if they need new glasses.
If the letters on the chart look sharp, it’s easy to assume everything is fine. But clear vision is only part of the picture, and a comprehensive eye exam can reveal far more about overall health than many people expect.
Regular exams help establish a baseline for each patient’s eye health, making it easier to spot subtle changes from one visit to the next.
A window into your overall health
The eye is the only place in the body where blood vessels and nerve tissue can be seen directly without surgery. That gives Doctors of Optometry a unique view of what’s happening inside the body. During a comprehensive eye exam, an optometrist can detect signs of more than 270 health conditions, including diabetes, hypertension, neurological conditions and certain cancers, often before symptoms appear elsewhere.
The same is true for the eyes themselves. Many eye diseases develop quietly, and glaucoma, for example, often has no early symptoms. Yet 42 per cent of Albertans believe they would notice if something were wrong with their eyes. With up to 75 per cent of vision loss being preventable or treatable through early detection, waiting for symptoms can mean waiting too long.
More coverage than many realize
Alberta Health Care provides partial coverage for eye exams by a Doctor of Optometry for children under 19, adults 65 and over, and anyone requiring medically necessary or urgent eye care. Understanding when eye exams are covered can help Albertans make eye health a
regular part of their health care.
For families, the stakes are high. One in four Alberta school children has an undetected vision problem, and up to 80 per cent of learning is visual. A child who struggles in class may simply be struggling to see.
How often should you go?
The AAO recommends:
● Babies: first exam between 6 and 9 months
● Preschoolers (2–5): at least one exam
● School-aged children (6–18): every year
● Adults (19–64): at least every two years
● Seniors (65+): every year
A different schedule may be recommended by your optometrist based on your health and family
history.
A reminder to love your eyes
This year’s World Sight Day, taking place on October 8, continues the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness’ #LoveYourEyes movement, encouraging people to make eye health part of their regular health care.
For Albertans, that can start with a simple question: When was your last eye exam?
Whether you wear glasses or contact lenses, have excellent vision or have not noticed any changes, an eye exam can offer valuable insight into the health of your eyes and help identify changes you may not be able to see yourself.
Talk to an optometrist about how often you should have your eyes examined based on your individual needs.
To find an optometrist in your community, visit the Alberta Association of Optometrists’ website at https://www.optometrists.ab.ca/home/ and use the “Find an Optometrist” feature.
