State-of-the-Art Equipment for Eye Exams in Medicine Hat

How often should you have an eye exam?

• First Exam = Between 10 & 14 Months Old
• 1-18 Years Old = Once Per Year
• 19-64 Years Old = Once Every 2 Years
• 65 and Up = Once Per Year

*Unless other health conditions exist requiring more frequent follow-ups.

Comprehensive adult eye examinations are generally needed every two years and are not covered by Alberta Health Care. However, for your convenience, we do direct bill all insurance companies that do allow payments directly to us.

Your eye examination will be about an hour-long, during which time the doctor of optometry will test your vision, eye coordination, ocular alignment, focusing, colour vision, peripheral vision, and of course your eye health. New imaging and diagnostic devices such as Optomap 200º Retinal Laser Scan, OCT (optical coherence tomography), Humphrey visual field testing, FDT Matrix Field Test, and high definition retinal photography will help the doctor. Some of these imaging devices are used during a routine examination, while others are used if further investigation is needed. All of these new instruments and tests provide our doctors with a thorough understanding of the health of your eyes, which enables them to have early detection of eye conditions that could permanently damage your vision.

Contact lenses are medical devices for improving vision. Health Canada regulates them as prescription-only products because contact lenses can cause varying degrees of damage to the eyes. The main risk of wearing contact lenses is that they cover the front most part of the eye which receives oxygen directly from the air. Contact lenses, being plastic, inhibit oxygen from getting to the tissue it covers. Without the proper amount of oxygen, that tissue begins to swell and will eventually cloud which can create scar tissue resulting in possible permanent vision loss.

During a contact lens eye health exam, problems such as poor vision, dry or irritated eyes, and ocular redness will be evaluated and a solution for the problem initiated. However, even contact lens wearers not experiencing any problems should be checked regularly. With special microscopes, we will notice early tissue changes before you can feel any problem developing.

It is important to have regular eye exams but it becomes more critical for anyone wearing contact lenses. Please call us at 20/20 Vision Care to book a contact lens eye health exam

(403) 526-2020.

New digital photography has enabled high-resolution imaging of the eye’s internal structures. As well, the software can enhance, enlarge, and even measure the size of suspect areas. Follow-up care and monitoring of change and progression are enhanced. Digital photography is a valuable tool in an ever-increasing fight against eye diseases and vision loss.

If you are considering, or have questions about, LASIK, PRK or other refractive surgery, our doctors can provide the answers you are looking for. Although Medicine Hat currently has no surgical centre to provide patients with refractive surgery options, we work closely with many nearby centres. We perform both preoperative and post-operative examinations for those interested in surgery, or for those who have recently had surgery.

Our doctors communicate regularly with the surgeons and staff at the Gimbel Eye Centre in Calgary, LASIK.

Alberta Health Care will pay for an eye health exam once every year for people 65 years and older. It is highly recommended that seniors have a thorough vision and eye health exam yearly. Our doctors will particularly watch for age-related issues such as cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration.

But general health concerns can impact the eyes as well such as diabetes and high blood pressure to name a few. As the body ages, we are more susceptible to increasing eye health problems. Have your eyes examined regularly.

This is a field test that measures the sensitivity of the internal tissues to visual stimuli. This device uses a new technology called frequency doubling that enables even a more sensitive and precise measurement of the function of the eye's internal structures than previous field tests.

It is particularly useful in the diagnosis of glaucoma and optic nerve problems.

Medical eye health exams, including ocular emergencies, are now covered through Alberta Health Care. This includes red eyes, eye pain or discomfort, ocular foreign bodies as well as annual diabetic medical eye exams. Alberta Health has recognized that it is faster and more effective to see your eye care provider rather than going to the emergency room for eye-related medical problems.

The OCT is a device that measures the integrity of the tissue surrounding the optic nerve, as well as other areas of the front and back of the eye. It is specifically useful in aiding in the earlier detection of glaucoma, monitoring the progression of macular degeneration, and other retinal problems. Glaucoma is a leading cause of vision loss in an ever-ageing population. Earlier detection means better visual outcomes and a better quality of life. It is a wonderful addition to the office in improving eye care for our patients.

Sight tests are advertised by opticians (those who sell eyeglasses) in order to make lenses in eyeglasses. Their testing is based solely on a computerized measurement, and they do not test the general function or health of the eyes. Their education is limited to a few weeks of training. They are not eye doctors, and they cannot evaluate or diagnose any eye health problems. As you can imagine, the practice of sight testing is quite controversial as it gives a false impression of providing an eye exam. In fact, some places even call it an “eye test” when it is no more than testing your sight.

Doctors of optometry, like Dr. McClung, Dr. Cory and Dr. Hyde provide complete eye health examinations. During your eye examination, our doctors will check not only your vision but will also assess the general function, coordination, alignment, and health of the eyes. Any eye disease or other problem that could potentially compromise your vision must be found early.

As such, everyone should have a regular complete eye health and vision exam by a Doctor of Optometry.

What we do here…

Walk-in available for urgent eye care & eye trauma

• Red-eye with contact lens
• Chemical Injury
• Foreign bodies especially when metal is involved
• Major Trauma
• Flashes of light or new Floaters
• Blocked or sudden vision loss

20/20 Vision Care has the newest diagnostic imaging equipment

Continued care for eye health & disease

• Macular Degeneration
• Diabetic Dilation Exam
• Glaucoma
• Retinal Lesion Examination

Same-day booking is available in many cases.

Dilation exams.

Most visits covered by Alberta Health Care (limited coverage by Saskatchewan health care

Brand new modern building conveniently located directly behind 3rd Street location.