Eye_Test_Info

Eye Exam Information

Here at Oscar Wylee, we are dedicated to providing our customers with personalized, high quality eye care services. To achieve this, we recommend you come in and get an eye exam with one of our optometrists. The results of an eye exam allow us to understand more about you and how we can best support your eye care needs.

 

Keep reading to find out more about eye exams and how we conduct them at Oscar Wylee.

What is an eye exam?

An eye exam is a procedure in which your eyes and vision will be checked by an optometrist. Eye exams are very important in the management of your eye health, as they can detect a variety of vision issues and eye diseases including:

  • Myopia (nearsightedness) and hyperopia (farsightedness)
  • Astigmatism
  • Binocular vision issues
  • Cataracts
  • Glaucoma

Undergoing regular eye exams means your optometrist will be able to diagnose and treat these types of vision problems before they become a bigger issue. This is why it is important to get your regular eye exam every two years or as recommended by your optometrist, even if your vision feels clear.

 

If you need an eye exam, you can book online and our Oscar Wylee optometrists will be happy to conduct your eye exam.

Ready to have your eyes examined?


Book an appointment with an Oscar Wylee optometrist.

What can an eye exam tell me about my health?

Not only are eye exams crucial in maintaining your eye health, they can also provide important insight into your wider, general health. There are a variety of health conditions that may present symptoms within the eye. Your optometrist may be able to detect these during a regular eye exam and give recommendations for further treatment by a healthcare provider.

 

Health conditions that may be detected in an eye exam include:

  • Diabetes
  • Cardiovascular disease
  • Thyroid diseases
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • High blood pressure

It is always best to speak with your doctor if you believe you have any health issues.

What is included in your standard eye exam?

At Oscar Wylee, your standard eye exam will include several tests, conducted by both an optometrist and an licensed optician. We carry out these tests to get the best possible picture of your eye health, which allows us to treat any eye problems accordingly.

The first round of testing will be with a licensed optician. This part of the exam is often called pre-testing and may include the following:
  • Tonometry exam – This will measure intraocular eye pressure. It uses a machine to blow small puffs of air into the eye.
  • Digital Retinal Scan – When selected a Digital Retinal Scan is also a part of the pretest experience. In this test, a photo may be taken of the back of your eye so that any diseases can be identified.
Eye Exam Info
  • Tonometry exam – This will measure intraocular eye pressure. It uses a machine to blow small puffs of air into the eye.
  • Digital Retinal Scan – When selected a Digital Retinal Scan is also a part of the pretest experience. In this test, a photo may be taken of the back of your eye so that any diseases can be identified.

Note: Retinal imaging may not be provincially covered. It is always best to double check what eye care you may be covered for, before your appointment.

Our optometrists will then conduct their own examinations, these include:

  • Slit lamp exam – this exam checks the anterior and posterior portions of the eye such as the cornea, iris, lens and retina to assess your eye health.
  • Refraction or vision exam – an optometrist will ask you to look at an image through different lenses to assess how clear and sharp your vision is, also known as visual acuity.

Combination Eye Exams

A combination eye exam at Oscar Wylee, is an examination that includes both the standard eye exam outlined above and some additional testing. This additional testing is at the discretion of an optometrist and will be undertaken if more information is needed about how your eye is functioning.  The following may be performed as part of your combination eye exam.

  • Visual Field Test – This test assesses your peripheral vision. It is useful in diagnosing conditions such as glaucoma.
  • Pupil Dilation Test An optometrist will administer eye drops to dilate your pupil, which allows them to get a clearer view of the retina.This test is normally done for those with diabetes and those at risk of retinal damage, such as tears, holes and detachments.

Find an optometrist near me


Book a routine eye exam with a qualified optometrist near you.

How long does it take to get an eye exam?

At Oscar Wylee, our eye exams take approximately 30 minutes. However, this time may vary for those who have more complex eye conditions and require more extensive examination.

An eye exam step by step

During our eye exams at Oscar Wylee, we undertake a series of simple, time efficient steps to complete your examination.

  1. First, make sure you are booked in for an eye exam with us. You can do this online or visit your nearest store to make an appointment. Make sure to bring your old glasses and your health fund card if you have one for any possible direct billing.

  2. When you get here, you will be checked in and asked for your medical history, family medical history, the reason behind your visit, what concerns you have, any symptoms and any existing prescriptions.

  3. You will first complete the pretesting with one of our licensed opticians.

  4. You will then see an optometrist, who will conduct their own exams.

  5. When the exams are complete and the results available, your optometrist will discuss your results with you, make recommendations for prescriptions or give advice on further treatment if needed.

  6. Our dispensing staff will then take over to discuss lens options and help you choose a pair of glasses. Dispensing for new glasses often takes 2-3 weeks.

How often do I need an eye exam?

It is recommended that you have a routine eye exam every 2 years. If you have any vision problems, your optometrist may recommend more frequent eye exams.  If you are considered high risk due to a health condition, such as diabetes, you will also likely need eye exams more frequently. Your optometrist will recommend the best course of action.
Source: The Canadian Association of Optometrists

You may also need an eye exam if you have noticed vision changes. These can include:

  • Blurry vision
  • Eye strain
  • Seeing spots
  • Squinting
  • Headaches or migraines
  • Sore eyes
If you are due for an eye exam, you can use our store locator page to find your nearest optometrist. Come in and see us for dedicated and comprehensive eye care.

Eye exam costs

Depending on your age and the province you live in, your eye exams may be covered in full or partially by the provincial government. For all of our pricing, including the cost of eye exams, please check our price guide page.

To find out if you’re covered, contact your local Oscar Wylee Canada store or provincial health care office. Read more about health insurance providers and direct billing here.

Can you conduct eye exams for driving licenses?

Our optometrists are able to perform exams, to assess if your vision is good enough to hold a motor vehicle driving license. They can also fill out the appropriate paperwork.

This exam is not covered by the province and will incur a fee.

Do children need to get an eye exam?

It is crucial to get a child’s eyes examined as good eyesight is very important to their development and learning. As classroom learning is mostly visual, any eye issues can impact how they succeed in areas such as reading and writing. Regular eye exams for children can detect vision problems early on, allowing for good treatment options.

When to get my child’s eyes examined?

It is recommended that children get an eye exam at 9-12 months old, then again between the ages of 2 and 5. After this, an eye exam is recommended annually or as otherwise suggested by your optometrist. 

Note: Not all optometrists will provide eye examinations to children. It is crucial that you check with an optometrist before making any appointments for your child.

Can I conduct an eye exam at home?

Though there are many ways you could go about examining your eyesight at home, whether it be online or using a printed chart, it is not recommended. Home eye exams are likely to produce inaccurate results and should not be used as a conclusive diagnostic tool.

 

If you want to check your vision, it is important that you book an eye exam with a qualified optometrist for accurate eye exam results and treatment.

Common Eye Conditions

Our qualified optometrists are here to help if you have any concerns regarding your eyes or vision. Our Canadian stores are equipped to help diagnose many common eye conditions.

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