Comprehensive Eye Exams

Wellness Eye Exams for Your Whole Well-Being

Your eye health is complex and deserves detailed care and attention through our Wellness Eye Exams. These comprehensive eye exams check for vision clarity and monitor your interior and exterior eye health.

Beyond eye health, a Wellness Eye Exam can also detect early signs of serious medical conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease.

Take a proactive step for your health today and book your Wellness Eye Exam.

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How Often Should I Have an Eye Exam?

We follow the Canadian Association of Optometrists’ recommendations for eye exams. For children, this includes a first eye exam for infants between 6 and 9 months old. We recommend annual exams after your child starts school, and are a member of the Eye See…Eye Learn program, which includes exams and free glasses for kindergarten-age children.

For adults 18 to 64, we recommend a complete eye exam every one or two years. After 65, we recommend annual eye exams. We’ll recommend a specific eye exam schedule for you, depending on any existing conditions such as eye diseases or other health concerns that may impact your vision.

What Happens During an Eye Exam?

During your eye exam, our optometrist will thoroughly assess your vision. We check for refractive errors, such as nearsightedness, and determine your prescription.

We also evaluate the health of your eyes using innovative eye care technology, including Optomap Retinal Imaging and Zeiss OCT scans. These devices allow our eye doctors to get an in-depth look at your eyes beyond what can be seen by the naked eye. This helps with early detection of eye disease and other health conditions.

Most eye exams take approximately 30 minutes. If it’s your first visit with us or you plan to choose a new pair of glasses, allow for extra time. Our team will guide you through the selection process, helping you find frames that fit your style, budget, and feel comfortable.

Will I Need Dilation?

Dilation uses special eye drops to enlarge your pupil, making it easier to see the inside of your eye.

Wellness Eye Exams usually don’t typically require dilation. If dilation is needed, we’ll schedule another appointment. If your eyes are dilated, avoid driving for 2-4 hours, bring sunglasses, and expect blurred vision and light sensitivity for several hours.

We usually recommend dilation if you have diabetes, cataracts, glaucoma, or macular degeneration. It may also be suggested for highly nearsighted patients or those with small pupils, often as a follow-up.

Additionally, if your appointment is for an eye emergency, where you are experiencing sudden vision changes such as flashing lights, floaters or decreased vision, we’ll dilate your eyes.

What Do I Need to Bring to My Eye Exam?

Please bring your Alberta Health Care card, your current prescription or glasses, and your contact lens information (a box or recent prescription), if relevant. If you’re currently taking any medications, a list of the names and dosages is also helpful.

Our Technology for Healthy Eyes

Many eye diseases and conditions don’t noticeably affect vision or cause pain during the early stages. Without intervention, many eye diseases can lead to irreversible vision loss. However, regularly scheduled eye exams can catch signs of disease before you’re aware of any condition.

Technology can help us detect eye diseases and conditions even earlier. At Canmore Family Eyecare, we use diagnostic technology that allows us to see detailed, high-resolution images and scans of your eyes and surrounding structures.

Our technology was chosen to provide you and your family with more effective and efficient diagnostics and treatment. Our devices are noninvasive, so nothing touches your eye during the tests.

OptomapⓇ Retinal Imaging

The Optomap^Ⓡ machine takes an ultra-widefield digital image of the retina (the tissue inside the eye that receives light signals and sends information to the brain). This image gives us a larger view of your retina than typical retinal images.

The Optomap^Ⓡ allows us to detect signs of retinal disease early. The device doesn’t touch your eye. You’ll see a bright flash while the image is captured. Your optometrist will invite you to review the images during your exam.

Zeiss Cirrus 5000 OCT

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a noninvasive scan of your retina and related tissues. It uses light waves to take cross-sectional images of your retina, showing the different layers.

OCT scans can measure the thickness of your retina, which can show early signs of retinal diseases such as macular degeneration or diabetic retinopathy. It can also indicate changes to other eye structures, including the optic nerve, blood vessels, and the cornea.

Humphrey Visual Field

The Humphrey Visual Field analyzer measures your peripheral (side) vision. Testing your peripheral vision can check for blind spots or changes and indicate signs of eye diseases such as glaucoma.

Visual field testing is also an essential component of Alberta’s Drivers License Vision Requirements.

Mediworks D-130 System

The Mediworks Dry Eye system is a powerful tool for dry eye diagnosis. We use the Mediworks D-130 to test for dry eye disease and determine the root cause of your symptoms.

The device includes tests like tear break-up time, meibomian gland function, Anterior Segment Photography and more to check on the health of your tears.

Protect Your Eye Health Today

Preserve your eye health and overall well-being with regular eye exams. If it’s been a while since your last exam, you need to update your prescription, or you have noticed any changes in your vision, it’s time to book a Wellness Eye Exam.

At Canmore Family Eyecare, we’re here to help you see clearly now and in the future. Take the first step by booking your appointment—we’ll take care of the rest.

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