Question: What should I expect at my first eye exam?
Answer: Adults who are new to our clinic can expect a thorough assessment of their vision and ocular health. Our comprehensive exam includes an assessment of your visual acuity (how well you can see text in the distance and at near), your binocular vision (how your eye muscles move and how well both eyes work together), your spectacle refraction (whether you need glasses to improve your eyesight), your ocular health including a check of your eye pressures and a dilated eye examination.
Question: What is a dilated eye examination?
Answer: In order to get a clear and thorough look at the structures at the back of your eyes, we recommend a dilated eye examination, where by we instill dilating eye drops. After instilling the drops, you will have to wait a short while (approximately 20-30 minutes) while your pupils dilate. Larger pupils will allow our doctors a clearer and extended view of your posterior segment (including an assessment of cataracts, optic nerves and your retina) for any possible eye health issues. Following the exam, you may find that your up-close vision will be blurry and you will be light sensitive for approximately 3 to 4 hours. It would be helpful to bring a pair of sunglasses (or a friend) for the drive home!
Question: What should I bring to my eye exam?
Answer: We advise our patients to bring the following to each eye exam:
- prescriptioned glasses
- sunglasses to help you with your drive home
- list of current medications, supplements and eye drops
- knowledge of your family’s health history
- your health card and/or vision insurance details
Question: My young child does not know the alphabet yet, can they come for an eye exam?
Answer: Absolutely. Eye exams in early childhood are critical to ensure a healthy visual and academic development. Our doctors have the means by which they can check the vision and eye health of our young patients eyes, even when they are too young to speak.