5 Signs You Need To Book An Eye Exam Appointment

If you've been putting off booking an eye exam, read these crucial warning signs that something is off and warrants further investigation from a qualified optometrist during a comprehensive eye exam.

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Signs To Bump An Eye Exam To The Top Of Your To-Do List

This past year, we have put our appointments, vacations, and lifestyles on hold; and while trying to stay healthy, we have ironically pushed our eye health to the side. What seems like an irrelevant and unimportant annual eye exam may be vital to diagnose eye and health conditions and diseases. Whether it has been a few years, you’ve noticed changes in your vision or are experiencing these telltale eye symptoms, here are the unmistakable signs that you should book an eye exam today!

Book An Eye Exam With Our Trusted Calgary Optometrists 

If you’re considering booking an eye exam, don’t simply leave it to a google search for “eye exam near me” to find an experienced optometrist. If you’re looking for an eye exam in Calgary, you can trust Market Mall Optometry for all your eye care needs. At Market Mall Optometry, our team of experienced eye doctors understands just how vital regular eye exams are for the health of your eyes and your overall well-being. We offer comprehensive vision services, including eye exams, eye emergency care, and cataract management, to ensure we meet all your needs.

Want to know more?

CONTACT OUR CALGARY EYE CLINIC AT MARKET MALL 
 

1. It’s Been Over A Year Since Your Last Eye Exam

One of the simplest ways to know if you are due for an eye exam is to call your family optometrist and ask them if it has been over a year since you last visited. Suppose you can’t quite remember when the last time was that you had an eye exam that is a good indicator that you may be overdue. Regular eye exams become even more critical if you wear contact lenses or glasses; In that case, you’ll want to make sure to get in for a yearly check-up to make sure your prescription has not changed and your eye health has not been impacted by improper contact wear, for example. 

2. You Know You Are Predisposed to Certain Eye Health Conditions

If you already know that you may be predisposed to developing eye issues related to genetics and family history, consider this a wealth of knowledge that has given you the head’s up to stay on top of seeing your optometrist regularly. If you have diabetes, for example, your optometrist can perform a diabetic eye exam to monitor for diabetes-related vision loss (diabetic retinopathy. Many conditions can be managed and prevented from becoming worse with proper treatment and early intervention.

3. Inconsistent Vision

Have you noticed your vision is sometimes worse or better? Are you having a hard time reading things far away or close-up? Do your eyes seem foggy or cloudy? These are all valid questions you may have while googling, “eye exams near me.” A comprehensive eye exam will include:

• A vision chart test 
• Vision tracking
• Tests of your peripheral vision and eye muscle function
• unusual structures and growths within the eye.

If you’re experiencing fluctuating or partial loss of vision, unusual eye movements, seeing double, or a reduction in peripheral vision, these could be signs of a deeper issue. You should call to book an eye exam with your eye doctor as soon as possible. Vision changes could be anything from a change in your prescription to signs of an obstruction or tumour, hence the importance of eye exams. 

• Abnormal eye movements
• Double vision
• Vision loss or other changes in eyesight

4. A Recent Increase Or Onset In Allergy Symptoms

While spring is around the corner, it is not uncommon to be experiencing an increase in allergy symptoms. Allergy symptoms may present as:

• Itchy, watery or dry eyes
• Stinging, redness or swelling around the eyes
• The feeling like there is something in your eyes
• Floaters, mucus or more “sand” in your eyes.

While these are all common allergy symptoms, these could also be a sign of dry eye syndrome/disease. Although a prevalent condition in Alberta, most people do not seek treatment and may confuse it with allergies. A comprehensive eye exam will investigate the root source to rule out and treat dry eye symptoms. Suppose your optometrist determines the cause is simply allergies. In that case, they will be able to recommend effective products for allergy symptom treatment and relief. 

5. The Cause of Your Eye Symptoms Is Blurry

There are a multitude of conditions and signs that your optometrist is trained to spot. It would be wise to get an eye check-up as soon as you notice you are experiencing other eye or vision-related symptoms such as:

• Circles, stars or halos around lights
• Eye infection
• Blurry vision
• Light sensitivity
• Persistent headaches
• Pre Existing health conditions such as diabetes
• Difficulty seeing while driving at night

These symptoms could be a sign of conditions ranging from astigmatism to brain or neurological disorders, cancer or growths, Lyme disease, Crohn’s disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, thyroid disease, a stroke, or even multiple sclerosis. A trained optometrist has seen many cases of these conditions and has received extensive training to look for even the earliest signs to catch these conditions. 
 

The Foundation of Long Term Eye Health and Vision Protection

When it comes to booking an eye exam to assess and treat painful, concerning or unusual eye symptoms, it is crucial to book sooner than later. Don’t put off evaluating and treating the source of your eye conditions. Safeguard your vision, find relief and prevent the occurrence of progressions of many health conditions simply by booking a routine eye exam. 
 

Call Today

To find out more about how our eye doctors can help protect your vision, and the vision of your entire family, visit our Calgary eye clinic at 3625 Shaganappi Trail NW (Next to Milestones) Calgary, Alberta, T3A 0E2.

Alternatively, you can contact us at 403-286-4884 or fill in our online contact form.

Call Us Today! Book Online
 

FAQ's

Does Alberta Health Care cover eye exams?

Annual routine eye exams are covered by Alberta Health Care for Alberta residents over the age of 65 and those 18 years old or younger. For patients, 19-64 years old, medically necessary examinations are covered by Alberta Health. Without insurance, annual eye exams cost, on average, $60-$80. 

What happens at an eye exam?

During an eye exam, an optometrist will use advanced equipment to measure and test:

• Colour deficiency
• Depth perception
• Eye pressure
• Current prescription
• Your eyes with and without the aid of prescription lenses
• A complete eye health assessment
• Retinal photos (except for children or those over 65) 

An optometrist will also investigate any health concerns you have at the time of your appointment and your family history.

Is an eye exam painful?

Eye exams are not usually painful, although it can be uncomfortable to keep your eye open and perform specific tests. Most of the testing is non-contact.