Yes, similar to any medical appointment, on your first visit to the Optometrist you will be asked a variety of health related questions about you and your family. Each answer you are able to provide will give the eye doctor a better understanding of your health history to ensure the best eye care possible.

We have some of the most advanced instruments available as part of our preliminary examination. The initial testing performed in an eye check up will provide the doctor important information about your vision and/or eye health. Depending on your age and nature of the appointment, the preliminary examination may include up to four tests.

• Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) instrument is used for retinal imaging and analysis. This technology provides highly detailed 2D and 3D images of the retina, as well as the optic nerve. An OCT allows our Optometrists to detect and diagnose early stages of eye diseases and monitor certain eye conditions.
• The Auto-refractor test involves staring at a picture on a screen for a short time to give the eye doctor a rough idea of your prescription.
• The Visual Field test is a way for the eye doctor to assess your peripheral or side vision.
• Non- Contact Tonometer (NCT) uses a small puff of air to measure an eye’s pressure (if you are not a fan of this test, we do have another way of measuring your ocular pressure).

The first part of a comprehensive eye exam will examine a patient’s eyes and visual systems for proper functions and abnormalities. This evaluation may include the following:

• A visual acuity test, using projected and handheld eye charts
• A colour blindness test
• A cover test, which the doctor uses to evaluate your eye muscles and binocular vision (how well both your eyes work together)
• An eye movement test with which our Doctors of Optometry evaluate how smoothly and quickly your eyes are able to follow an object or move between and focus on separate objects.
• A refraction test, using a phoropter to determine the patient’s corrective lens prescription.

The second part of a comprehensive eye exam is all about your ocular health. Our Optometrists will examine the internal and external structure of the eye, diagnose and help treat eye diseases, as well as co-manage certain health conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure. This evaluation may include the following:

• Pupil dilation and slit lamp examination to access the internal health of the eye.
• Retinal imaging for all patients and retinal scans by an Optical Coherence Tomography for patients 40 years and above. This is a non-invasive image test that depicts the individual layers of the retina.
• Computerized Visual Field test (For patients over 12 years old)
• Dry Eye management
• Glaucoma screening and co-management (including ocular pressure testing)
• Macular Degeneration diagnosis and co-management
• Cataract evaluation and diagnosis
• Diabetic retinopathy check
• Eyelid eyelash assessment, as well as assessing the skin immediately around the eyes

• If you are unwell, have a fever or are exhibiting any signs of a cold, please call us to reschedule your appointment (eye exam or eyewear consult etc.). We want everyone to be safe and healthy!
• All staff will be wearing a face mask  and the necessary protective equipment when they are working with you.
• You are required to wear a face mask during your eye exam.  There are a couple of tests that need to be done without a mask and alternative distancing and/or PPE is in place.
• A sanitizing station will be at the entrance of the store for you to clean your hands.
• Everyone coming in is required to wear a face mask. You can wear a hand-made one or a surgical one. If you do not have a face mask, we will provide one for you.
• Between each patient the examination rooms, including optical instruments, surfaces, and chairs, will be disinfected and sanitized.
• If you are immune compromised or have other concerns, please advise our team when booking. We will do our best to meet your needs!