Routine eye exams are important, regardless of your age or physical health. During a comprehensive eye exam, the health of your eyes is our priority. The eye doctor will check your eyes for common eye diseases, assess how your eyes work together as a team and evaluate your eyes as an indicator of your overall health. We employ the latest technology for detecting early signs of disease and it’s important to get your eyes checked regularly.
**Ask about our enhanced eye exam which also includes a pupil dilation**
The eye doctor will also determine your prescription for eyeglasses or contact lenses and make specific lens design recommendations specific to your visual demands and lifestyle.
In most cases, a routine eye examination is not covered by Manitoba Health
How Often Should I Get My Eyes Checked?
Adults
Our eye doctor recommends a full eye exam every 2 years for healthy adults. Annual exams are recommended for those with diabetes, high blood pressure and other disorders, because many diseases can have an impact on vision and eye health.
Seniors (adults over the age of 65)
Because the risk of eye disease continues to increase with age, everyone over the age of 65 should be examined annually.
Children
Some experts estimate that approximately 5% to 10% of pre-schoolers and 25% of school-aged children have vision problems. According to the American Optometric Association (AOA), all children should have their eyes examined at 6 months of age, at age 3 and again at the start of school. Children without vision problems or risk factors for eye or vision problems should then continue to have their eyes examined at every year throughout school.
Children with existing vision problems or risk factors should have their eyes examined more frequently. Common risk factors for vision problems include:
- Premature birth
- Developmental delays
- Turned or crossed eyes
- Family history of eye disease
- History of eye injury
- Other physical illness or disease
The AOA recommends that children who wear eyeglasses or contact lenses should have their eyes examined at least every 12 months or according to their eye doctor’s instructions.
Dilated eye exams are strongly recommended for most children under the age of 4.