General Inquiries
Oakville Location
905-339-1718
Monday: 12:00pm – 7:00pm
Tuesday: 12:00pm – 6:00pm
Wednesday: 10:00am – 4:00pm
Mississauga Location
905-275-2020
Monday: 7:30am – 6:00pm
Tuesday-Thursday: 7:30am – 4:30pm
Friday: 7:30am – 2:00pm
Saturday (By appointment only): 9:00am-2:00pm
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
I see 20/20, why do I still need to get my eyes checked?
Seeing 20/20 is only part of healthy eyes. There are a number of diseases and conditions, both of the eyes and the rest of the body, that can be detected through an eye exam. Many of these conditions can go without symptoms for years.
Some examples include:
- Glaucoma
- Macular degeneration
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Degenerative retinal diseases
What else do you look for during my eye exam other than checking my glasses prescription?
Doctors of optometry are your first line for checking the health of your eyes. We have specialized equipment that other medical professionals would not have, but are necessary to properly diagnose eye conditions.
Parts of the eye exam include testing the following:
- Distance and near vision
- Peripheral vision
- Pupil function
- Eye movement
- Colour vision
- Retinal health
- Intraocular pressure (“glaucoma check”)
- Optic nerve health
How often should I get my eyes checked?
Healthy adults ages 20-64 with no systemic or eye conditions should have a comprehensive eye exam with dilation every 1-2 years. People with certain eye conditions will need more frequent visits to the eye doctor. The doctor will be sure to let you know how frequently you should be seen.
Is it really such a big deal if I wear my contact lenses longer than I am supposed to?
Over-wearing contact lenses comes with risks including infections, corneal ulcers, and in worst case scenarios: blindness.
What is glaucoma?
Glaucoma is a disease of the optic nerve inside the eye, usually associated with higher eye pressure. It is screened for during every eye exam by testing eye pressure (aka the “air puff test”) and examining the optic nerve.
Is my eye exam covered?
The provincial health plan (OHIP) covers a comprehensive eye exam once a year for children under 20 and adults 65 and over. Some conditions are covered under the OHIP plan between age 20-64. Please see your eye doctor for more details.
When should my child get his/her first eye exam?
Children as young as 6 months old can have their eyes checked. Recommendations for children’s eye exams are at the following intervals:
- 6 months
- 3 years
- Yearly after starting school
How can a baby get their eyes tested if they cannot respond?
Doctors of optometry have equipment that can help us perform an eye exam without relying on the response of the patient. We can still test for visual acuity, eye movements, pupil function, strabismus (aka crossed eyes) and retinal health including retinoblastoma.
What should concern me about my child’s vision?
If your child is displaying any of the following, they may need an eye exam to rule out vision threatening conditions:
- Headaches
- Rubbing eyes often
- Crossed eyes
- Red eyes
- Tilting head
- Reading below grade level
- Squinting
- Trouble recognizing you from across the room
- Confusing words or letters
How do I know if I have dry eyes?
You may have dry eyes if you experience any of the following:
- Burning/itching/stinging
- Contact lens discomfort
- Fluctuating blurry vision
- Redness
- Light sensitivity
- Tearing/watering eyes
- Scratchy feeling of sand in your eyes
- Tired/gritty eyes
- Dry skin around your eyes
- Crusting in the morning
If you experience any of these signs/symptoms, you may need a dry eye evaluation.
My blood sugar is under control so why do I need to get my eyes checked?
Having diabetes is a risk factor for eye conditions, even at optimal control. It’s important to have a dilated eye exam to determine if any retinal damage has occurred due to diabetes. We also offer retinal imaging, which gives a much more detailed look at the retina and allows for the gathering of baseline information.
Is elective refractive surgery (e.g. LASIK or PRK) for me?
If you are tired of wearing glasses or contacts and would like to pursue other vision correction options, LASIK or refractive surgery might be for you. A screening for candidacy can be done during your eye exam and then an appropriate referral can be made if you are deemed to be a candidate.
What is macular degeneration?
Macular degeneration is a retinal disease that generally affects your central vision. It is much more common in elderly patients and is screened for at every eye exam.