Senior Eye Exams

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Seniors may be susceptible to a wider variety of eye conditions, and often require more frequent appointments and screenings because of this. When caught early, most conditions can be treated, but if left untreated, they can put your sight and health in serious jeopardy.

 

Provincial Health Coverage Ensures Affordable Eye Care For Seniors

It can be difficult to justify spending more money on eye care if you’ve had healthy eyes your whole life or don’t notice any changes in your vision. Thankfully, you don’t have to. Did you know that Alberta Health Care covers eye exams for children eighteen and under and people sixty-five and over? Because these vulnerable life stages require extra care, Alberta Health has programs in place to ensure that all seniors can access the eye care they need without straining their budget.

We’re also happy to help you find cost-effective options for glasses and contacts and direct you to any resources that might help you keep your eye care costs low.

Direct Billing

 

Specialized Eye Exams For Seniors

Senior patients at our Calgary eye clinic require specialized care for two reasons: the natural ageing process impacts most people’s eyesight at least mildly and the risk factors for certain eye diseases increase with age.

 

Eyes and Aging

The natural ageing process affects most individuals’ eyes in subtle ways.

Common Age-Related Changes To Eyes and Eyesight:

• Decreased colour vision
• Dry eyes
• Reduced pupil size
• A decrease in peripheral vision
• Presbyopia

Most of these changes do not have severe consequences, but it is important to be aware of them. Even minor changes could impact how you carry out routine tasks, but often, simple adjustments are all that’s needed to keep you thriving. Your optometrist can work with you to determine what’s needed.

For example:

• you may need to increase the lighting levels in your reading or work areas.
• when driving, you may need to be more aware of checking the periphery.
• you may need to carry eye drops when you go out.

 

Ageing & the Increased Risk Of Eye Conditions

Age-Related Macular Degeneration - This disease often advances slowly and painlessly. It affects the portion of your eye that allows you to see fine detail, and blurs the central vision used for “straight ahead” and “close up” tasks, which range from driving to sewing.

Diabetic Retinopathy - Almost 7% of Canadians have Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. If you are one of them, you will likely require screenings for diabetic retinopathy. This condition occurs when high blood sugar level causes changes in the blood vessels of the eye. If untreated, it can cause blindness. Unfortunately, a recent study shows that more than half of patients skip this sight-saving exam.

Glaucoma - Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness. It occurs when intraocular pressure damages the optic nerve. It can only be detected by regular eye exams. Fortunately, with early intervention, further vision loss can be prevented.

Cataracts - Cataracts can occur due to ageing, after an injury, or due to radiation exposure. Risk factors increase with age: more than half of those over 80 years old in the USA developed cataracts by that age.

To learn more about eye conditions, treatment plans, or to book an appointment, get in touch with our team.

 

What Is Included In A Senior’s Eye Exam?

An eye exam for seniors, like most other eye exams, tests:

• vision
• coordination of eye muscles
• peripheral vision
• pupil response to light
• measurement of fluid pressure in the eye

Our seniors’ eye exams also include screenings for sight changes related to ageing, as well as eye conditions that affect a high proportion of seniors. Additionally, we can help our senior eye care patients monitor whether they have had any changes in their vision as a result of medication side effects.

 

Monitoring Your Eyesight At Home

In addition to regular eye appointments, you should be on the lookout for any changes in your eyesight.

Signs of vision loss include:

• difficulty reading or writing.
• trouble driving at night or missing street signs.
• “clumsiness” when moving objects.
• difficulty completing delicate tasks such as sewing.
• sensitivity to light, or seeing a blurred halo around light.
• difficulty distinguishing between darker colours.

If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s important to notify your health care provider as soon as possible.

 

Contact Us

If you live in Calgary and are looking for a customized senior’s eye exam, screening, or wish to update your treatment plan, don’t hesitate to get in touch! You can reach us by phone at 403-286-4884, or through our contact form.

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