How often should I have my eyes tested?
 
Vision and ocular health conditions are not always accompanied by recognizable symptoms, and there is often an increased risk to the patient if timely treatment is not initiated.

After initial examination, your optometrist will schedule regular checkups for you at a frequency that meets YOUR particular eye care needs. Many factors (hypertension, diabetes, family history of eye disease, those on medication which may have ocular side effects, to name a few) will influence the frequency of your eye examination, and the optometrist will weigh these factors in deciding when you should be seen again. However, general guidelines have been established which can assist you in determining the need for follow-up examination.

• Infants and toddlers (birth to 24 months) - By age 6 months
• Preschool (2 to 5 years) - At age 3, and prior to entering elementary school
• School age (6 to 19 years) - Annually
• Adult (20 to 64 years) - Every one to two years
• Older adult (65 years and older) – every year

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How do I know that I am receiving good vision care?

Optometrists are highly trained and must demonstrate competence in knowledge, skill and judgment to become registered in BC. Further, they must demonstrate a commitment to continuing competence for ongoing registration.

You should expect that the optometric care you receive meets the standards of practice. A complete examination will usually include the following components, although variations may occur because of patient age, abilities, and general health and eye conditions:

• a health history with emphasis on eyes and vision, including vision needs
• measurement of visual acuity (for example 20/20)
• measurement of refractive error (for example far-sightedness, near-sightedness, astigmatism)
• determination of the alignment of the eyes
• determination of the way the eyes adjust focus from distance to near
• examination of the eyes for any disease or abnormalities
• a diagnosis from the results of the examination
• recommendations for any treatment required, which may include referral to another health care provider
• provision of a prescription or treatment plan for vision correction if required
• any counseling or advice that is necessary, including need for future vision care

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When should I book my child's first eye exam?
 
It is recommended to book your child's first eye exam as early as 6 months of age. Vision tests for children are performed in an age appropriate fashion and some simple tests can be performed as early as 6 months of age.  Different types of targets, shapes, numbers and letters are used to determine a child’s visual acuity (ability to see over various distances), peripheral vision and to determine how the eyes team, focus and move together. Various methods, which at times include eye drops and the use of specialized equipment is used to assess the external and internal eye health to assess for potential disorders.

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Should I bring my eyeglasses to my appointment?

It is advisable to bring your eyeglasses with you when you have your eye examination.  This will allow checking of your old prescription against your new prescription.  Even if there is no change in your prescription it is also good for your eye doctor to assess the lenses for scratches or defects and to ensure that the frame is still fitting properly so that you have maximum benefit from your spectacles.  Also, bring your spectacles to your contact lenses re-assessments.  Sometimes dyes have to be put into the eyes that can stain your contact lenses so it may be necessary to wear your spectacles home.

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Should I wear my contacts to my appointment?

Yes. If you are a contact lens wearer, you should wear your usual contact lenses to your appointment. This allows your optometrist to assess the current fit and level of vision with your lenses and to make appropriate recommendations. It is ideal to wear your contact lenses for at least two hours prior to your appointment so your lenses may be viewed in their settled position. Remember – if your eye is red and painful, remove your contacts and book an appointment with your eye care professional immediately.

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Why do I need to have my contact lenses checked when I have been wearing them for years?

Contact lenses are a medical device.  They are available by prescription only.  In order to ensure that the contact lenses are not damaging the tissues of your eye, it is of utmost importance to have your contact lenses assessed every year or as determined by your eye doctor.  Contact lenses can desensitize your eye to pain and irritation.  If this happens it is possible for tissue inflammation to begin and you may not have any signs or symptoms. Consequently, you may not come into the clinic until you have advanced complications.  Only a thorough, regular, comprehensive examination by your eye doctor can determine if the contacts you are wearing are suitable.  Routine assessments are also beneficial in that your doctor can have the opportunity to discuss advances in contact lens technologies as well as to reassess your lifestyle and contact lens wearing habits to ensure your contact lens regime is still suitable.

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At what age can contact lens wear begin?
 
Although contact lenses can be fit to patients of any age, generally patients have to be mature enough to manage their contact lenses well to prevent severe eye infections and complications.  When one is not capable of being responsible for this management then parents or guardians must be willing to take over the role of responsibility to ensure that the lenses are worn the proper number of hours; cleaned properly; replaced as directed; and, inserted and removed properly.

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Why are eye drops used?

Eye drops that dilate the pupils, called mydriatics, are used in some examinations to enable the doctor to get a better view of the inside of the eye. The doctor will decide how often this type of examination is necessary for each individual depending upon his or her symptoms, age, health, and family history. The drops generally leave your vision a little blurry and sensitive to light, so you may not be able to drive immediately after this procedure. The effect of the drops will wear off in 2 to 6 hours.

Eye drops that relax the focus of the eyes, called cycloplegics are used to accurately measure the degree of far-sightedness of the eyes. These are generally used, when necessary, for children and young adults. These drops also leave the vision blurry and sensitive to light.

Eye drops to anesthetize (numb) the eye are used for procedures that require an instrument touching the eye. The anesthetic does not affect vision and lasts about 15 minutes. Some eye drops contain a dye that helps the doctor diagnose abnormalities of the surface of the eye.

Can I drive after my eye exam?

Most patients find that after the eye exam they are okay to drive.  During the eye examination eye-drops may be used that dilate the eyes to help the doctor see different parts of the back of the eye.  These drops can cause light sensitivity for a few hours after the examination so we recommend that sunglasses be worn after the eye exam during daylight hours.  For very light sensitive patients they may be more comfortable having someone drive them home after the eye examination although the sunglasses should suffice for most people. Other drops may be used which temporarily affect ones focusing system. These patients may have to wear prescription lenses home to see well (or have someone drive them home after the examination).  All drops used for the purposes of the eye examination have short duration activity and generally within 3-7 hours the effects of these drops should be worn off.

"I hate that air-puff thing!" Is it really necessary?

No. Measuring the pressure within the eye is extremely important to diagnose glaucoma, however other methods of measuring pressure exist. At Sullivan Optometry we use a soft-tipped probe called a TonoPen which is more pleasant and still very accurate.

Does MSP cover my examination?

MSP covers the yearly examination for children 19 years of age or younger and for seniors 65 years of age or older.  Certain patients between the ages of 20 and 64 are eligible for MSP coverage when there are underlying medical conditions or eye conditions that require yearly examinations.  After your examination your eye doctor will determine if you are in an MSP covered category.  If so, MSP will be billed for the covered portions of your exam.  Some specialized tests may not be covered by MSP.  These tests will be billed directly to you.
 
MSP does not cover contact lens fittings or contact lens assessments, which are required for contact lens wearing patients.  

What is 20/20 vision?

This is a ratio used to indicate normal visual acuity.  It means that people with ‘normal vision’ on the acuity chart are able to see a certain size of detail at 20 feet.  That detail is calibrated to be the same size in all eye examinations so that visual acuity can be standardized when tested between different offices. The detail viewed could be letters, pictures or numbers.

Some people have better than normal vision and some have weaker than normal vision.  The top number in the ratio indicates the test distance (20 feet) that the target is calibrated for.  The bottom number of the ratio indicates the distance at which a person with normal (20/20 vision) would be able to see that size of target.  For example if a person had poorer than normal visual acuity, say 20/400 it would mean that the size of the target that this person sees at 20 feet would actually be recognized by the person with 20/20 vision at 400 feet.  Conversely, a person with better than 20/20 visual acuity, say 20/15, would be able to see the small detail at 20 feet that a person with 20/20 vision would have to bring closer to 15 feet to be able recognize it.

Why do I have to have retinal photographs done?

The practice of optometry is changing with the advent of newer and more advanced technologies to diagnose and monitor the health of the eye.  Retinal photographs are recommended by your eye doctor to assist in documenting and monitoring the intricate details in the back of your eye.  Certain conditions such as glaucoma, diabetes, and macular degeneration are very difficult to diagnose and require careful monitoring over time to assess for subtle changes.  Retinal photographs are also crucial to accurately document the size and degree of any unusual findings in your eye such as retinal nevi and spots caused by macular degeneration.

How come my eyes get tired at the computer?

Being far or near-sighted, having astigmatism, or becoming presbyopic can all make computer use less comfortable. Your eyes may have to exert extra focusing effort or be forced to work harder to maintain a clear image on the screen. This results in eye strain and fatigue. The following are some helpful tips to facilitate comfortable and efficient computer use:

• Positioning
  Correct positioning of your computer, keyboard, and typing copy is essential. Your screen should be about an arm’s length from your eyes and 15-20 degrees below eye level for optimum alignment and neck positioning.
• Lighting
  Room lighting should be diffuse, not direct, to reduce glare and reflections from your screen. Use blinds or drapes on windows and/or use an anti-glare filter for your monitor.
• Glasses
  Anti-reflective coatings on the lenses of your glasses can be applied to reduce discomfort and to ease reduced vision from bright and/or flickering light sources such as VDTs and fluorescent lights. Don’t forget – your optometrist can talk to you about eyeglasses designed specifically for computer users.
• Time-out
  To prevent eyestrain, try to rest your eyes when using the computer for long periods. Optometrists recommend the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, take a 20 second break, and focus your eyes on an object at least 20 feet away.
  
• Blink
  Did you know that, on average, we blink 12 times per minute? But, when we are on the computer, we only blink 5 times per minute? Infrequent blinking causes tear film evaporation; in other words, dry eyes. Relieve the discomfort by using artificial tear drops and remember to blink!

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If I don’t wear my glasses, will it make my vision worse?

This depends on your age and the nature of your prescription. The majority of visual development occurs within the first decade of life; a time during which neural connections form between the eye and the brain. If one or both eyes lack the proper visual stimulation during early development, then central vision will not fully develop. This condition is called AMBLYOPIA. It is for this reason your optometrist recommends that you book your child’s first eye examination at six months of age, at age 3, and then annually thereafter. Because of the critical development that occurs throughout these early years of life, children who do not wear the glasses prescribed by their optometrist may not develop to their full vision potential.

Concerning adult prescriptions, wearing of spectacle lenses will not make your vision worse or damage your eyes in any way. Unless you are near-sighted and remove your glasses for reading, most adults over 40 years of age will become increasingly dependent on reading glasses. This is not due to the glasses “weakening” your eyes but instead, it is due to the natural aging changes of the crystalline lenses within your eyes. (PRESBYOPIA). Whether you wear glasses or not, your vision will gradually deteriorate over your lifetime. By wearing the spectacle lenses prescribed by your optometrist, you will enjoy increased comfort and clarity of vision at all distances.

What are the differences between an optometrist, an ophthalmologist and an optician?

An optometrist is a doctor of optometry who examines patients in order to diagnose, treat, manage and prevent diseases and disorders of the eye and visual system and its related structures.

An ophthalmologist is a physician who, upon graduation from medical school, undertakes several years of post-graduate training in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the eye. As well as diagnosing and treating ocular disease either by medical or surgical means, ophthalmologists may also offer oculo-visual assessment, which includes prescription for corrective lenses.

An optician provides, fits and adjusts eyeglasses, contact lenses or subnormal vision devices on the prescription of an eye care professional.

All three professions are governed by their respective Colleges under the authority of the Regulated Health Professions Act.