Eye care services
Comprehensive Eye Exams
A comprehensive eye exam is not just for people who need glasses, it is a very thorough assessment of how your eyes are functioning as well as a complete health check from front to back.
Inside the exam
What Is Checked In A Comprehensive Eye Exam
- Eye pressure
- Colour vision
- Depth perception
- Peripheral vision
- Binocular vision function
- Glasses prescription
- A thorough health check of the front and back of the eye using retinal imaging, specialty scans when needed, and optional dilation
How often
When Do I Need An Eye Exam
A lot of conditions can present in the eyes without symptoms, so it is important to keep up with routine check-ups even if you don’t feel like you need one.
- Infants and Toddlers
Children under the age of two should undergo their first eye examination between the ages of 6–9 months.
- Children
Children should undergo at least one eye examination between the ages of 2 and 5 years, and then annually after that until they’re 19 years old. MSP covers a portion of their eye exam so the cost is lower for children to undergo annual eye tests.
- Adults
Healthy adults should undergo an eye exam at least every 2 years.
- Seniors
It is recommended that you have an eye exam annually after the age of 65. MSP will cover a portion of a senior’s eye exam, so the cost is lower for seniors to undergo annual eye tests.
Age guidance differs between pages (FACTS conflicts 2-3).
Shown above as this page words it. The FAQ says a child’s first eye exam should be “between 6 months and 1 year old, and then again annually from 3 years old onwards”; the lazy-eye post says “between 6–12 months of age, and then yearly after that”; the how-often post says healthy adults every 1–2 years. Please choose one version for every page.
Held back from this page until approved: “Regular eye exams by a doctor of optometry play an essential role in maintaining your overall health, and can help detect systemic conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and even cancer.”
Your visit
What can I expect from a comprehensive eye exam at The EyeSite?
Preliminary tests
Your exam starts with a few preliminary tests with one of our staff members, which include measuring your eye pressures with a small puff of air, and taking retinal photos.
Your history
Then one of our doctors of optometry will bring you into the exam room to start your eye exam. They will review your medical history, and you can share any specific concerns you might have at this time.
Vision testing
Then they will test your colour vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, your eye movement and eye alignment, and then update your glasses prescription.
Eye health check
Following this, the doctor will do a very thorough health check of the front surface of your eyes, and the inside of your eyes through optional dilation and review of your retinal photos.
How long does an eye exam take?
Eye exam length varies depending on the level of complexity of your eye health, but on average it takes about 30–45 minutes.
How much does an eye exam cost?
Our fees depend on the service provided. Please contact our office to discuss what would be the right appointment for you.
What do I need to bring to my eye exam?
If you’re new to us, make sure you bring your B.C. Service Card (it has your PHN on the back), your extended health insurance information if you have any, a list of your current medications if applicable, and any glasses you currently use (even if they’re broken or just over-the-counter readers). If you are a contact lens wearer, make sure to know the full brand and power of the lenses so the doctor can document what you’re wearing in each eye.
Will I get a copy of my glasses prescription?
Absolutely! You will leave our clinic with a copy of your new glasses prescription in hand. As we are a full service optical store as well, we can help you find your new pair of glasses in our store when you’re done with your exam.
Can you direct bill my insurance?
We can direct bill most insurances for you; for a full list of those companies click here.
Do you see patients covered under IFHP (Interim Federal Health Program) or those with Status numbers or FNHA (First Nations Health Authority)?
Yes we do! We are fully set up to directly bill under IFHP and FNHA for your eye exams and glasses.
Book a visit
Request an Appointment
We will respond by phone or e-mail within 24 hours. If you’re looking to book urgently, give us a call during operating hours at (604) 553-3900.
