Eye Exams

Optometrist looks through a slit lamp to examine the eyes of an adult patient resting their chin and forehead on the device in an eye exam room.

Eye Exams • October 22, 2026

Can an Eye Exam Detect Diabetes?

Key Takeaways Diabetes can change the tiny blood vessels in your retina and raise your risk of cataracts and glaucoma. An eye doctor can spot signs of diabetes in the back of your eye, often before you notice any change in your vision. A diabetic eye exam uses pupil dilation and retinal images to track…

Smiling optometrist talks with a patient holding eyeglasses in an exam chair, with a phoropter and slit lamp in the eye exam room.

Eye Exams • October 22, 2026

What Actually Happens During a Comprehensive Eye Exam

Key Takeaways A comprehensive eye exam checks both your vision and the health of your eyes. Your visit often takes about an hour or more, depending on the tests your eye doctor recommends. Bring your current glasses or contact lenses and a short list of questions. Dilating drops can leave your eyes sensitive to light…

Using a Snellen chart, a mature patient's visual acuity is measured by their optometrist during their routine eye exam.

Eye Exams, Myopia • April 28, 2026

What Does 20/40 Vision Mean?

Our visual acuity determines how clear and sharp we see the world around us. High visual acuity allows individuals to perceive fine details, which is helpful for tasks that require precision. The numbers in visual acuity measurements represent a ratio. The first number is the distance you see an object clearly, while the second is…

A young girl with her left hand covering her left eye while performing a Snellen vision test.

Eye Exams • April 7, 2025

How Much Is an Eye Exam in Calgary?

Eye Exams Are Health Care Eye care is an essential part of health care as eye exams assess more than your vision. Optometrists can detect many health conditions, including diabetes, high blood pressure, and brain tumours, during routine eye exams. Children’s eye exams help monitor visual development, giving your child the best chance for lifelong…

Smiling person trying on prescription glasses in an optometry store showcasing frame options for long-lasting eyewear

Eye Exams, Eye Health Articles, Eyeglasses • February 20, 2025

How Long Do Prescription Glasses Last?

Prescription glasses are a vital tool for maintaining clear vision and supporting your overall eye health. On average, prescription glasses last between one to three years, depending on factors such as prescription stability, frame quality, and daily care. Proper maintenance and regular eye exams help ensure your glasses remain effective and comfortable for as long…

A young boy smiling during his vision assessment at his routine eye exam.

Eye Exams, Eye Health Articles • July 3, 2024

Are Children’s Eye Exams Free in Alberta?

Visiting your optometrist for comprehensive eye exams is a valuable tool in caring for vision and eye health. The Province of Alberta recognizes this importance, which is why comprehensive eye exams are covered once a year for children until they turn 19 years old. Importance of Comprehensive Eye Exams The importance of comprehensive eye exams…

A woman rubbing her eyes after using her laptop for an extended period.

Eye Exams, Eye Health Articles, Eye Strain • April 19, 2024

How Long Does Eye Strain Last?

Our lives often centre around screens in our digital age—we wake up to the soft glow of our phones, spend the day in front of computer monitors, and wind down with a favourite show on the TV or laptop. But there can be a hidden cost with this dependency on digital devices. Digital eye strain…

View from behind a patient's head as he sits in a chair and looks at a Snellen chart as directed by the optometrist

Eye Exams • March 1, 2024

How Long Does an Eye Exam Take?

Eye exams remain a crucial part of our healthcare routines, yet many people tend to push them off. Sometimes this happens because we are busy and we are unsure if we have the time to stop and give our eyes the care they deserve. Naturally, knowing the length of an eye exam can help you…

A senior woman smiling at the camera while having an eye exam with an optometrist.

Eye Exams, Eye Health Articles, Insurance • January 10, 2024

Are Eye Exams Free for Seniors in Alberta?

Under the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP), seniors aged 65 or older are eligible for 1 comprehensive eye exam every 12 months. But an important note is that although the exam itself is covered, additional tests to help screen for macular degeneration, glaucoma, and retinal diseases, and any additional needs, such as prescription glasses…

A happy optometrist attentively listening to her senior patient

Eye Exams • October 31, 2023

Are Eye Exams Covered by Alberta Health?

As much as we care about our physical health, our eyes also require special attention. Regular eye exams are essential to keep our vision clear, but they do so much more than that—they can also help identify potential sight-threatening eye diseases and other health issues. As an Albertan, you may wonder whether your provincial health…