Eye Care Basics

What is an Optometrist

The Canadian Association of Optometrists (CAO) defines an optometrist as "an independent primary health care provider who specializes in the examination, diagnosis, treatment, management and prevention of disease and disorders of the visual system, the eye and associated structures as well as the diagnosis of ocular manifestations of systemic conditions"

Ocular Emergency?

Have your eyes examined immediately if you notice:

• Sudden reduced vision (including vision going dark)
• Flashes of light/sparks
• Sudden increase in floating spots
• Sudden onset of double vision
• Eye pain
• Eye redness and/or discharge

Recommended exam frequency

Vision and ocular health conditions are not always accompanied by recognizable symptoms, and there is often an increased risk to the patient if timely treatment is not initiated.

After initial examination, your optometrist will recommend regular checkups for you at a frequency that meets YOUR particular eye care needs.

Many factors will influence the frequency of your eye examination, and the optometrist will weigh these factors in deciding when you should be seen again. However, general guidelines have been established which can assist you in determining the need for follow-up examination.

The frequency of examination for those at high risk will be determined by the optometrist on the basis of one's health and visual status at the preliminary examination. Some of the factors which may indicate high risk are as follows: Premature birth, specific systemic disease, family medical or ocular disease history, strabismus, congenital eye disorders, children experiencing difficulty at school, ocular disease or injury, or those taking systemic medication with ocular side effects.

Patients in each age group may be classified as being at low risk or high risk for ocular or vision problems. The minimum recommended frequency of examination for those at low risk is as follows: