How Often Should Adults Have Eye Exams: A Guide to Protecting Your Vision
What Are Adult Eye Exams?
An eye exam can be defined as an evaluation of a person’s eyes and vision. In this particular case, these types of eye exams are focused on adults (individuals aged 18 and above). They generally include a discussion and assessment of a patient’s medical history, visual acuity refraction, optometry tests and advanced imaging to check eye health. Adult eye exams may also involve the provision of updated contact lens or eyeglass prescriptions (if needed)¹.
What is a Comprehensive Eye Exam?
A comprehensive eye exam for adults is simply an eye exam that assesses eye health in an in-depth manner using advanced technology for additional testing and imaging. For this reason, it includes aspects of a regular eye exam such as reviewing a patient’s medical history, basic and primary visual acuity testing and results².
What is Included in a Comprehensive Eye Exam?
While regular eye exams have a focus on the patient’s main visual concerns, visual acuity and refractive errors, comprehensive eye exams are more thorough with a focus on the overall eye health and detecting eye diseases or conditions using advanced equipment for special imaging. Your optometrist takes the additional time to review and monitor your unique imaging to ensure your eye health is thoroughly assessed. Another main difference is the service offered, where your Optometrist can take a personal, friendly and empathetic approach in caring for your vision and eye health needs. The effort of your optometrist and eye care clinic in best meeting your needs when discovering your diagnosis is important when evaluating your experience.
Differences Between Routine Eye Exams and Comprehensive Eye Exams
The differences between routine and comprehensive eye exams are best explored by considering factors like the focus of each exam and tests done in each one:
1. Difference in Focus
As mentioned, routine eye exams focus on how well you see (visual acuity) to see if you need a new prescription for contact lenses or eyeglasses.
On the other hand, comprehensive eye exams go more in-depth and focus on overall eye health including detecting existing and potential eye diseases. Comprehensive eye examinations also focus on identifying systemic health issues/chronic conditions which can be manifested in the eyes.
2. Difference in Tests
Basic eye exams generally include visual acuity tests for measuring a patient’s ability to see at different distances. The exam also includes a refraction test to establish your eye’s focusing power and ideal lens prescription. Eye muscle and coordination tests are also done in some cases to establish how well your eyes work together.
Comprehensive eye exams do a more in-depth evaluation which includes a dilated eye examination (pupil dilation tests) examining the internal structure of the eyes: the optic nerve and retina. The exam can also involve visual field tests (for assessing peripheral vision), colour vision tests (for assessing a patient’s ability to distinguish colors), and glaucoma tests (for measuring eye pressure and optic nerve damage) depending on the patient’s eye health needs. Other tests include a slit lamp exam to identify eye abnormalities.
How Often Should Adults Have Eye Exams?
– Regular eye exams should be done at least annually, especially among persons with a history of eye problems and certain eye conditions.
– Comprehensive eye exams are recommended every one or two years for adults with no significant eye health conditions. However, those with a family history of eye disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and other conditions should go for comprehensive checks more often.
How Often Should Adults Have an Eye Exam After 50?
With age, expect to undergo age-related vision changes such as changing color perception, reduced tear production, glare problems, difficulty reading and needing more light. For such changes, a routine annual eye exam is recommended.
However, you should get at least one comprehensive eye exam every 1 to 2 years to check if you have any developing eye/vision problems.³
Signs You May Need an Eye Exam Sooner
You should see an optometrist immediately if you notice the following warning signs of eye disease:
- Seeing floaters
- Seeing flashes of light
- Fluctuating vision and/or blurred vision
- Loss of side vision
- Distorted images
How Long Does an Eye Exam Take?
Since routine eye exams cover all the basics, they can have a shorter duration and take approximately 30 minutes to complete. Comprehensive eye exams are more detailed and will generally take an hour or more. This all depends on the patient and the length of discussion happening in the exam room. Patients who are more attentive, decisive and confident in their responses can efficiently complete an exam. Patients who have questions or are unsure of their visual or eye health concerns can take longer.
How to Prepare for an Eye Test
You should note down any eye symptoms you have and bring a list of current medications (if any). You should also bring your current eyeglasses and a pair of your contact lenses with you during your eye exam. Also, be prepared to answer questions on your family medical/eye health history, how your vision has changed, and other relevant questions. It’s also important to follow the eye doctor’s instructions and try your best to be less anxious and patient. Eye doctors are here to help you and recommend vision care solutions. They hope to establish your trust so they can care for your gift of sight.
Does OHIP Cover Eye Exams for Adults?
Yes! OHIP covers a number of optometry eye health services including major eye exams and follow-up assessments needed. However, there are eligibility requirements like age, having an eye-threatening condition or taking certain medications known to increase the risk for eye disease. Ask us or visit here to learn more.
How Often Does OHIP Cover Eye Exams for Adults?
Generally, adults with an eligible medical condition are entitled to a major eye exam every year and two additional follow-up visits (assessments). Most importantly, one must have an eligible medical condition like diabetes mellitus, glaucoma, cataracts, retinal eye disease, etc.
Seniors who are 65 or older without an eligible medical condition affecting their eyes still qualify for an OHIP-covered eye exam every 18 months and two follow-up assessments.⁴ Ask us or click here to learn more.
Book an Eye Exam for Adults
Every adult should have at least one routine yearly eye exam and one comprehensive eye exam every one or two years. However, comprehensive exams can be done immediately if a person notices significant eye-health symptoms mentioned above i.e., fluctuating vision or you have serious conditions such as age-related macular degeneration.
If you haven’t had your eyes checked or have some eye-health symptoms, you can visit any of the seven Kodak Lens Vision Centres in Toronto that have advanced eye care technology.
Don’t wait for irreversible vision loss. Schedule an eye exam TODAY! You can also call: 647-952-1099 to book a complete eye exam or ask questions about eye care. Find out about the cost of eye exams, common vision symptoms, and more by visiting our website.
Enjoy OHIP-covered eye exam services from a team of optometrists and eye care professionals with over 40 years of experience. Most importantly, there are other comprehensive eye care services including pediatric eye exams, diabetic eye exam, seniors eye exams, and emergency eye care services if you suffer from an eye injury or related incidences.