FAQs

What is done at a comprehensive eye exam?

• Discuss health history and its relation to eyes and vision
• Discuss vision needs
• Measure visual acuities (how well you see)
• Measure refractive error (to determine any need for glasses or corrective lenses)
• Evaluate eye movements, alignments, and focusing abilities
• Examine the eyes for any disease or abnormalities
• Determine diagnoses resulting from the examinations
• Determine plan of action, which may include monitoring, treating, or referring to another health care provider
• Provide any clinically required prescription for eyeglasses
• Counsel and provide advice on eye care, including future care recommendations

What is the difference between an “eye check” by your pediatrician, your family doctor, and/or a school screening program?

Often your primary health care provider (pediatrician or family doctor) has the ability to do gross observation for cross eye and abnormalities on the outer parts of the eye, and take a general view into the eye with an ophthalmoscope. They may also have a hanging eye chart to check how well you see at a distance. An optometrist will use the appropriate optometric equipment to thoroughly examine the eye and visual system. Learn about what services we offer here, and what is done in a routine exam here. Your primary health care provider is well trained in caring for your overall health, but a doctor of optometry is specifically trained in primary care for the eye and the visual system. Screening programs are similar, in that they do not go in depth but simply point out if they feel there is already an existing major problem.

I see perfectly well. Do I still need to get my eyes checked?

Absolutely yes! Why not come in for the ease of mind that everything is indeed healthy! There are also many eye problems that only eye doctors can detect before it’s too late. In some cases, once vision is lost (and that’s when you notice a problem), it can no longer be regained.

How do you examine my kids if they can’t read yet, or even speak yet?

We are very patient and friendly and we make it fun for your children to be here. We use age appropriate tests, which range from drawing attention to patterns, matching or naming pictures, or identifying letters. The younger they are, the more we rely on objective measures.

Do you do direct billing?

Yes! We now offer direct billing to most insurance companies. Please bring your private insurance provider’s information with you to your appointment, and the staff will assist you in making the submission. If there is a balance owing after the claim is submitted, the patient is responsible to make that payment to our clinic by the completion of services/product. If you have any questions, please contact our clinic prior to your appointment for clarification.

What does OHIP cover?

With a valid Health card, anyone aged 19 or younger are eligible for one major (full) eye exam every 12 months, plus any minor exams in between as needed.

If you are 20 to 64 years old, and you have a specific medical condition affecting your eyes that requires regular monitoring as specified by the Ministry’s list of conditions, OHIP will cover a major eye exam for you once every 12 months and up two 2 follow-up appointments related to the condition.

If you are 65 years or older, you may be covered once every 12 months or once every 18 months, depending on the condition of your eyes.

For more information, please visit the Ministry of Health’s website .