Eye Exams: What you Need to Know
It's easy to forget about the importance of eye exams until you need one. Then, suddenly, you realize how integral they are to your overall health. This is because eye exams are not just about correcting vision problems – they can also help detect a range of health issues, from diabetes to high blood pressure - in fact, your optometrist may be the first person to detect signs of these potentially serious health conditions.
If you're overdue for an exam, schedule one today. You can even book your eye exam online at Helio Optometry.
Still not convinced? Here are five things you need to know about eye exams:
Eye Exams can detect a wide range of health conditions
Eye Exams are important for people of all ages
You may not need a complete eye exam every time – sometimes an eye health check-up is enough
It's best to stick with the same optometrist, so they have your medical and vision history on file
Most insurance plans cover routine eye health exams in full or partially.
Let’s break them all down.
#1 Eye Exams Can Detect a Wide Range of Health & Vision Conditions:
Regular eye exams are an essential part of maintaining good health. Not only can they help to detect vision problems, but they can also provide early warning signs of other health conditions, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer, glaucoma, strokes and arthritis.
During an eye exam, your optometrist will check for changes in the eye, such as pupil dilation, eye movement, blood vessels and eye pressure. These changes can be indicative of a wide range of health problems, which is why it is essential to have regular eye exams. In addition to detecting health problems, eye exams can also help to catch vision problems such as nearsightedness and farsightedness. By getting regular eye exams, you can help to keep your eyes healthy and catch any potential issues early on.
#2 Eye Exams are important for people of all ages
Eye exams are an essential part of preventative healthcare for people of all ages.
For adults, regular eye exams can help to detect early signs of conditions such as glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy. They are also important for maintaining clear, comfortable vision for driving, work and sports.
For seniors, eye exams are especially important in maintaining good vision and independence. Poor vision can result in the loss of a driver’s license, or falls and accidents that may result in a broken hip. Maintaining good vision ensures aging parents can age in place and continue to enjoy activities such as reading and writing.
Eye exams for children are essential to ensure that they are developing normally and don't have any underlying conditions that could impact their vision at school or with sports and hobbies. Children grow quickly during the first 15 years of life, and these eye exams ensure that the foundations of good vision are set.
#3 You may not need a complete eye exam every time – sometimes an eye health check-up is enough
When it comes to eye care, many people assume they need a complete eye exam every time they visit the eye doctor. However, this isn't always the case.
Depending on your age, health history, and current symptoms, your eye doctor may recommend an eye health check-up instead.
An eye health check-up is a less comprehensive exam that focuses on evaluating a specific eye health issue or checking for any potential problems because of an underlying medical condition. Typical examples of where an eye health check-up might be used include diabetes, arthritis, high blood pressure, auto-immune disorders, cancer treatments, and dry eye syndrome.
Please remember, though, that it's always recommended that you have a complete eye exam every 2 years, and eye health checkups are only used to supplement this care. Comprehensive eye exams are also required if you need to update your eyeglass or contact lens prescription.
If you have questions about whether you need a complete eye exam or an eye health check-up, be sure to ask your eye doctor during your next visit or talk to our staff. We are always happy to help!
#4 It's best to stick with the same optometrist, so they have your medical and vision history on file
When it comes to eye care, it's best to stick with the same optometrist or eye care clinic. This way, they will have your medical and vision history on file, which will help them better serve you. Plus, they'll be familiar with your eyes and know what to look for during your eye exam.
Having a regular optometrist also makes it easier to detect any changes in your vision or eye health early on before they become significant problems. Some eye conditions, such as glaucoma or cataracts, only show subtle changes from year to year, and a timely diagnosis may be delayed if you jump around from one eye care provider to the next.
So if you're looking for the best possible eye care, find a good optometrist and stick with them.
#5 Most insurance plans cover routine eye health exams in full or partially.
Some people are reluctant to visit an optometrist because they assume it will be expensive. Most insurance plans, however, provide at least some coverage for routine eye health exams every 1 to 2 years. In addition, some insurance plans cover eye exams in full, while others require a co-payment or co-insurance.
At Helio Optometry, we can also direct bill most insurance providers, which helps keep more money in your pocket. Please confirm with your employer or insurance provider if your group plan offers direct billing or if you are required to pre-pay, and then submit your receipts.
In Alberta, eye exams are covered under Alberta Health Care for all children aged 0-18 and all seniors aged 65+. These groups are covered for an eye exam once a year between July 1st and June 30th. Alberta Health Care also covers every Albertan for medically necessary eye care such as eye infections, eye injuries, loss of vision, diabetes, medication side effects, cataracts, dry eye, or visual concerns. However, they do not cover visits for eyeglasses, contact lenses, laser eye surgery, or cosmetic treatments.
Many other government insurance plans also provide coverage for eyeglasses or specialty contact lenses when medically required. These insurance plans include Alberta Works (AW), Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH), and Indigenous Services Canada (ISC). These plans cover routine eye exams every two years or more frequently in exceptional circumstances.
Conclusion:
Routine eye exams are essential for people of all ages to check their vision and eye health. Eye health is not just about having 20/20 vision. There are many other aspects of your eyes that can be checked during a routine exam, including signs of potential problems or diseases. Most optometrists recommend getting an eye exam every one to two years, but this frequency may change if you have specific concerns or conditions that need to be monitored. Our optometrists will help to recommend a proper eye health schedule for you.
Book your next eye exam today. See you soon!