It’s normal to notice small vision changes as you age. Reading a menu in a dim restaurant might feel more difficult, or perhaps glare from oncoming headlights feels brighter than before. These shifts are a normal part of getting older, but they also signal that it might be time to schedule more regular eye exams to keep an eye on your eye health.
A senior eye exam is a complete check of your vision and eye health, designed to help spot age-related conditions early so you can protect your sight for years to come.
Why Your Eye Health and Vision Change Over Time
Changes to your vision are a natural part of life. Knowing when to get an eye exam can help protect your sight, maintain your quality of life, and support your independence. A thorough exam does more than just check your prescription: It’s an important part of your proactive health routine.
How Often You Need an Eye Exam
For adults 65 and older, an eye exam every year is generally a good guideline. This frequency helps the eye doctor spot any small changes early. Though care varies person to person, many provincial health plans cover the cost of annual eye exams for seniors, making it easier to stay on top of your eye health. Currently, in Ontario, OHIP covers an eye examination every 18 months unless there is a pre-existing condition like macular degeneration, or you have diabetes or take certain medications.
What Happens During the Exam
A senior eye exam is a comprehensive check of both your vision and the health of your eyes. Our team works to make the process comfortable and clear, so you know exactly what to expect.
Talk About Your Health History
Your visit often starts with a conversation. Our eye doctor may ask about your general health, any medications you take, and your family’s health history. You can also chat about any vision symptoms you may have noticed, such as:
- Blurry vision
- Trouble with glare
- Difficulty seeing at night
- Dry or scratchy eyes
Test Your Vision and Prescription
Next, a series of simple tests can help measure how well you see. These comfortable checks can help determine if your glasses prescription needs an update. They can include tests for:
- How clearly you see letters on an eye chart
- Your peripheral (or side) vision
- Your depth perception and eye coordination
- The prescription for your sharpest vision
Check Your Eye Health
Our eye doctor may then perform a detailed health check of your eyes. This can involve a dilated eye exam, which uses specific drops to widen your pupils, but it is not always necessary. This helps the eye doctor get a clear view of the structures inside your eye and look for any signs of health issues before they affect your vision.
Screen for Common Eye Conditions
A key focus of a senior eye exam is to screen for age-related eye conditions. Finding these conditions early can make a big difference in managing them and protecting your sight.
Cataracts
During the exam, the eye doctor can check the lens inside your eye for any cloudiness, which can be a sign of cataracts.
Glaucoma
A gentle “puff of air” test or other tools measure the pressure inside your eye to screen for glaucoma, a condition that can damage the optic nerve (the nerve responsible for sending messages to your brain).
Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)
The exam often includes a close look at your retina (the back of your eye) and macula (the part of the eye responsible for central vision) to check for signs of age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
Diabetic Retinopathy
If you have diabetes, the eye doctor can carefully check the blood vessels in your retina for damage, which is a key part of monitoring for diabetic retinopathy.
Your Next Steps After the Appointment
Once the exam is complete, our eye doctor will discuss the results with you. Our eye care team prioritizes helping you understand everything, so we would love to answer any questions you may have.
Depending on the findings, your next steps might be to:
- Get an updated prescription and find your next pair of glasses
- Discuss lifestyle changes to support your eye health
- Schedule a follow-up appointment to monitor a condition
Meet Our Friendly Team
An annual eye exam is a great first step toward caring for your vision. If you’re ready to book your next appointment in Collingwood, Ontario, we have a location for you. Schedule your visit and discover how the team at Collingwood Optometry & Cwood Eyecare can help you see clearly and comfortably.
