Eye Exam FAQ

A dilated fundus exam (DFE) is used to detect a number of common eye disorders, including macular degeneration and glaucoma. During the DFE, your eye doctor will administer drops that relax the iris muscles and widen the pupils. This will provide the doctor with a better view of the back of the eye. The average exam length, including the time it takes for the drops to take effect, is 30 minutes. The dilation can last four to eight hours, so patients are advised to have a driver.

A contact lens assessment can be provided in addition to a complete eye exam upon request. The contact lens assessment is used to determine which type and fit of contact lens are ideal for you. The doctor will also provide detailed advice on lens care.

In general, our clinic adheres to the following guidelines for eye exams:

• Healthy adults: every two years
• Contact lens wearers: yearly
• Seniors and children: yearly
• Diabetics or those with other ocular diseases: yearly dilations

However, everyone has different needs for their eyes, so it’s recommended that you consult us for personalized advice.

Even if you have 20/20 vision, you should get your eyes tested on a regular basis. Eye exams are used to detect eye problems in their earliest stages. In addition, as eyes are the only part of the body that afford doctors a view of the arteries and veins without resorting to surgery, an eye exam is used to spot early signs of stroke, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, multiple sclerosis and brain tumours.

Certain individuals are at higher risk of eye disease and therefore need to have their eyes examined more frequently. You should get your eyes checked on at least a yearly basis if:

• You wear contact lenses
• You’ve had an eye injury in the past
• Your eyesight gets worse over time
• You have a family history of eye disease
• You have diabetes

Ask your eye doctor about additional risk factors for eye disease.

If you have any of the following symptoms, don’t wait to get your eyes tested:

• Eye strain. If your eyes quickly become tired when you’re reading, or if you get headaches due to squinting, you likely require glasses or need to update your prescription.
• Blurred vision. Blurred vision is a sign of nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism. If distant objects appear blurry, you may be nearsighted.  If nearby objects appear blurry, you may be farsighted. However, if you have difficulty perceiving both nearby and distant objects, you may be suffering from astigmatism.
• Light sensitivity. If normal light levels seem bright and cause discomfort, you should have your eyes tested. A variety of eye disorders and infections are linked to light sensitivity.
• Double vision. This problem may be caused by abnormalities in the cornea, lens, retina or nerves. It may also be linked to astigmatism, keratoconus or dry eye.
• Eye infection. If your eyes are red, swollen, itchy and/or producing a discharge and you’ve ruled out allergies, you may be dealing with an eye infection.
• Poor night vision. If you’re having increased difficulty seeing at night (for example, when driving after dusk), you may be experiencing the onset of cataracts.

An eye exam is the first step to diagnosing and treating these and various other eye problems.