Comprehensive Eye Exams in Toronto
Annual Checkups
Experts recommend an annual comprehensive eye exam to check for harmful eye conditions.
Regular Exams
Regular eye exams are important, regardless of age or physical condition.
Comprehensive Testing
An eye exam at our center includes various tests to assess your eye health.
Eye exams have come a long way over the decades, and are very different from the ones your parents and grandparents might have had, though the core components are similar. In a city like Toronto, eye exams that are offered from office to office, optical to optical can vary a lot, from the very quick and basic to a more thorough exam much like going to your family physician for a yearly physical.
At 360 Eyecare Beaches and 360 Eyecare Yorkville, we provide comprehensive eye exams to all ages. Our optometrists in Toronto see patients as early as 6 months of age and diagnose and treat vision and eye conditions of all stages.Our optometrists leverage the most innovative technology in the industry to help perform a thorough and precise examination.
Our goal is to help everyone in the Toronto area (The Beaches, Yorkville, Rosedale and nearby) see to their maximum potential with optimum optical lenses and visual aids because we know how important your ocular health is. We strive to provide the full circle of care to all our patients.
So what are some of the tests and devices you'll come across in the modern eye exam?
The Basics of a Comprehensive Eye Exam
An eye exam covers more than a single prescription check. An optometrist will systematically go through several visual assessments and health screenings throughout the appointment. What you might consider a simple question or a basic action could tell the optometrist quite a lot about the physical condition of your eyes during the exam.
These checks include:
Visual acuity and refractive status assessment:
Your optometrist will determine your vision with and without correction and then perform a complete refractive assessment to determine the most accurate prescription for your glasses for clearest and most comfortable vision. A digital cutting-edge phoropter technology can be utilized instead of the conventional manual phoropter to perform the subjective part of refraction (this is sometimes referred to as the 'better one or better two' test).
Binocular assessment:
A check to determine how well your two eyes work together as a team.
Accommodative assessment:
Similar to the binocular assessment, this determines your eyes' focusing ability at near and distant and during prolonged periods of reading and computer use. Your optometrist will also typically assess your vision for computer-distance and other intermediate tasks.
Pupil assessment:
A quick evaluation to determine how your pupils react to light and whether they have any physiologic or other anomalies that might be an indication of other health conditions such as nerve palsy and Horner's syndrome.
Extra-ocular muscle function test:
Determine the function of the muscles that help your eyes move in all directions.
Cover test:
Assesses for misalignment in the eyes and detects early and advanced stages of eye turns (strabismus) or phoric disorders and improper binocular postures.
Visual field assessment:
Assesses your peripheral vision. This test is done for different reasons and also has different modes. Manual confrontation test is typically done routinely for gross assessment, whereas more specific automated tests are done to assess for specific conditions such as glaucoma and brain tumour screening.
Intraocular pressure test:
Assesses the pressure inside your eyes for indications of glaucoma or other disorders leading to elevated eye pressure.
Complete assessment of the anterior segment of your eyes:
Your optometrist will examine the health of your eyes under the microscope (the slit lamp test) to determine if there is any corneal or other anterior segment disease like conjunctivitis (pink eye) or other inflammatory eye disease or infections. Your doctor will also assess the lids and the adnexa for related medical problems.
Posterior segment disease:
This test is typically done through the dilation of the pupil with drops to examine the retina, the optic nerve, and the other structures at the back of the eye.
Retinal imaging:
A highly detailed photograph and scan of the very back of the eye using a high-powered camera. These scans aid optometrists in assessing the physical condition of structures like the macula, retina and retinal layers, the optic nerve head, and surrounding tissues. These scans are provided to the patient after every exam for their records.
Emergency Eye Care:
Our eye doctors are licensed to diagnose and treat eye diseases such as urgent pink eye, keratitis, and foreign body removal and management.
Check Yearly, See Clearly
Book your eye exams in Toronto with our optometrists today at any of our 360 Eyecare locations at The Beaches or Yorkville Rosedale. We look forward to providing you with the complete circle of care for all your eye care and eyewear needs.
Book an Eye ExamEye Exam Tools and Technology
But hold on a moment. Phoropter? Visual fields? Retinal camera? There are still a lot of terms here that can be confusing. Let's break it down to some of the most common elements of an eye exam, shall we?
The Visual Fields Test
the devices and instruments in this article, the visual fields test is just as important for diagnosing severe conditions. The visual fields test measures the total width of a patient’s area of vision while they focus on a single point straight ahead, also known as the measure of peripheral vision ability in degrees. This test can detect any blind spots a patient might have or a decrease in peripheral ability over time due to conditions such as glaucoma
In some cases, a patient may only need to have visual field screening once. Other patients may need regular screening on a yearly or bi-annual basis. Certain jobs and careers require a visual field test as a part of their application process, and at least a basic visual field screening is required for new drivers getting their license in Ontario. Should you find yourself requiring a visual field test for any reason, a quick call to your regular optometrist to see if they provide that testing is recommended.
The Visual Fields Test
the devices and instruments in this article, the visual fields test is just as important for diagnosing severe conditions. The visual fields test measures the total width of a patient’s area of vision while they focus on a single point straight ahead, also known as the measure of peripheral vision ability in degrees. This test can detect any blind spots a patient might have or a decrease in peripheral ability over time due to conditions such as glaucoma
Eye Exams FAQs
Firstly, if you are considering eye exams in Toronto but still have questions or things you want to clarify, rest assured, that you are not alone. Based on the questions we received over the many years we've examined, diagnosed, and treated eye conditions in the Toronto area, we've come up with a list of the most Frequently Asked Questions regarding eye exams in Toronto. However, if you still have questions after consulting our FAQs, do not hesitate to contact us via phone, email, or by also using our website.
How much does an eye exam cost in The Beaches, Rosedale and Yorkville, Toronto?
Usually, these exams are covered by your private vision or health care plan. Your eye exam will be covered by OHIP if you are 65 and over, 19 and under, or have specific conditions that are deemed insurable by OHIP. Please call our office to inquire further.
How often should I get my eyes examined?
This depends on your age and previously diagnosed conditions, but a good rule of thumb is to have your eyes regularly checked every 1 to 2 years. The sooner we can spot potential vision issues developing, the easier it is to correct. Knowing when to visit an eye doctor to get your eyes checked is important. Not only is this information advisable, but it could also save you from potentially developing advanced eye conditions that might not have symptoms at early stages. Only your optometrist can determine how frequently you should be seen for an examination. However, the Canadian Association of Optometrists recommends the following as the minimum frequency for routine eye examinations: Infants and toddlers should undergo their first eye examination between the ages of 6 and 9 months. Preschool Children 2 to 5 years of age should undergo at least one eye examination in this period. Schoolchildren aged 6 to 19 years should undergo an eye examination annually. Adults aged 20 to 39 years should undergo an eye examination every 2 to 3 years. Adults aged 40 to 64 years should undergo an eye examination every 2 years. Adults aged 65 years or older should undergo an eye examination annually. The risk of developing ocular disease is higher at 65 years of age and older. Our doctors at 360 Eyecare in Toronto strongly advocate following the recommended frequency of visits to your optometrist. These exams will detect early signs of many age-related eye diseases such as glaucoma, cataracts, and macular degeneration.
How flexible are the appointment times?
We try to cater to our patient's needs, thus, we will try to accommodate you as soon as possible. We also have appointments outside of working hours and on Saturdays, so you can have lots of possibilities for scheduling your eye exam in the The Beaches and Yorkville, Toronto.
How do I have to prepare for my eye exam?
Although not a lot of preparation is required, please be ready to answer questions about what prescription drugs you use and relevant family history. Also, if you currently wear glasses or contact lenses, please bring them with you. Lastly, if your exam requires your pupils to be dilated, we advise having someone else drive you.
What should I expect during an eye exam?
During a comprehensive eye exam at our clinics, our optometrists will perform various tests to assess your vision and eye health. These may include visual acuity tests, refraction assessments, eye pressure measurements, and retinal examinations.
How long does an eye exam take?
Eye exams can take up to 40 to 60 minutes depending on the tests needed to be done. Most exams are completed in 30 to 40 minutes. Please allow extra time if you are a new patient and required to fill out paperwork before your examination.
Does my insurance cover eye exams?
Although we do accept most types of vision and health insurance plans, it's best to ask a few days in advance or when booking your appointment so we can check for you ahead of time.
Do you offer pediatric eye exams in Yorkville and The Beaches, Toronto?
Yes, we specialize in providing gentle and thorough pediatric eye exams to ensure your child's vision health. Our optometrists are experienced in examining children of all ages and strive to make the experience comfortable and enjoyable for young patients. You can book an eye exam with eye doctor near you at The Beaches or Yorkville Rosedale.
Can I schedule an eye exam online?
Yes, you can easily schedule your eye exam online through our website. Simply select your preferred location (Beaches, Toronto, or Rosedale, Toronto), choose a convenient date and time, and our team will confirm your appointment.
The Importance of Eye Examinations
As you can see, the eye exam has come a long way from the early days as technology has advanced, allowing doctors to assess and evaluate ocular conditions earlier than they had in the past. And with early detection comes early treatment and management. A thorough modern eye examination is just as important for your overall health as your yearly physical with your family doctor. It is important to note that not every eye examination offered will have all of these instruments and checks, so it is important to inquire ahead of time as to what the eye exam consists of and whether that is right for you and your needs.
Don't see your question answered here? Feel free to contact us via phone, email, or by also using our website, or even drop by one of our Toronto clinic and chat with us in person. We are more than happy to help.
At 360 Eyecare, we believe in offering our patients the full scope of eye health needs, and our comprehensive eye exams reflect that vision. Please reach out to either of our locations to book your next eye exam in Toronto today: 360 Eyecare – Yorkville Rosedale , or 360 Eyecare – Beaches.