Eye exams
A comprehensive eye exam at our clinic measures your prescription and looks into the health of your eyes. Our doctors recommend an eye exam every 1 to 2 years for healthy adults.
- Children
- Every 1 year
- Adults
- Every 1 to 2 years
- Seniors
- Every 1 to 1.5 years
Hours: Monday to Thursday 9 to 6, Friday 9 to 4, Saturday by appointment, Sunday closed. Call (905) 433-2015 Text (647) 931-1894
Your comprehensive eye exam
A comprehensive eye exam involves more than checking how clearly you can read an eye chart. Our optometrists assess your vision to determine whether glasses or contact lenses may be beneficial, while examining the health of your eyes for signs of disease, damage, or potential risk factors. At Oshawa Optometry, we provide comprehensive eye care for patients of all ages throughout Oshawa, Durham Region, and beyond.
What a comprehensive eye exam includes
- Visual acuity testing
- Refraction and prescription check
- Eye pressure measurement
- Binocular vision assessment
- Ocular motility testing
- Pupil assessment
- Slit-lamp examination
- Retinal examination
- Medical and vision history review
Signs you should not wait
Sudden vision loss, new flashes of light or floaters, eye pain, or an eye injury may require urgent attention. Call us at (905) 433-2015 right away and let our team know what you're experiencing. If we are unavailable, seek immediate care at an emergency department, particularly if you experience sudden vision loss or a serious eye injury.
Eye exams for children
Children's eye exams are important for monitoring how their vision develops and ensuring their eyes work well together. Kids don't always recognize vision problems because they often assume everyone sees the world the same way they do. OHIP covers one comprehensive eye exam every 12 months for children and youth under age 20. Our team would be happy to check your child's eligibility before booking their appointment.
Eye exams for seniors
As we age, regular eye exams become increasingly important. Cataracts, glaucoma, and age-related macular degeneration are more common in seniors, and early detection can help protect your vision. Our comprehensive eye exams include screening for these and other eye health concerns, helping you maintain healthy vision as you age. OHIP covers one comprehensive eye exam every 18 months for adults aged 65 and older. If you have certain eligible health conditions, such as diabetes or glaucoma, you may qualify for coverage every 12 months. Our team would be happy to check your OHIP eligibility before booking your appointment.
Imaging and testing at Oshawa Optometry
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Optomap retinal imaging
Optomap is advanced retinal imaging technology that captures a wide-field image of the back of your eye. The quick, painless scan helps our team at Oshawa Optometry detect signs of eye disease and monitor your retinal health. In many cases, it can be performed without dilating your pupils. Optomap is a valuable addition to your comprehensive eye exam.
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OCT scan
OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography) is advanced imaging technology that creates detailed, cross-sectional images of the retina. This quick, painless scan helps our team at Oshawa Optometry detect and monitor eye conditions such as glaucoma and macular degeneration. OCT provides valuable insights into your eye health, helping us identify potential issues early.
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Visual field test
A visual field test measures your peripheral (side) vision to help assess your overall eye health. At Oshawa Optometry, this quick, non-invasive test helps detect and monitor conditions such as glaucoma and other neurological concerns. It also helps assess whether your vision meets the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) requirements for driving eligibility. It is usually done without the need of dilating eye drops.
Laser vision co-management, the assessment, referral and aftercare around laser eye surgery, is described on Specialty eye care.
Your comprehensive eye exam, step by step
- Check in and complete your pretesting.
Our team will perform preliminary tests to gather important information about your vision and eye health before you see the optometrist.
- Determine your prescription.
Your optometrist will assess your vision and check how well your eyes focus, move, and work together.
- Examine your eye health.
Your optometrist will examine the internal and external health of your eyes. Dilating drops may be used to provide a better view of the back of your eyes and help detect signs of glaucoma, cataracts, macular degeneration, diabetes-related eye changes, high blood pressure, and other conditions.
- Advanced imaging, when appropriate.
We may take an Optomap retinal image or perform an OCT scan during your visit to get a more detailed look at your eye health.
- Review your results together.
Your optometrist will explain the findings in everyday language, answer your questions, and discuss any recommendations to help keep your eyes healthy.
Questions about eye exams
Are eye exams free for seniors in Ontario?
Free for patients, yes. OHIP covers eligible eye exams for Ontario residents aged 65 and older. Seniors are covered for one comprehensive eye exam every 18 months, along with up to two follow-up visits within that period. If you have certain eligible medical conditions that require closer monitoring, you may qualify for more frequent coverage. If your eye exam is covered by OHIP, there is no charge for the covered services. Wondering if you're eligible? Our team would be happy to check your OHIP coverage before your appointment!
Does OHIP cover eye exams for diabetics?
Yes. Diabetes is one of the conditions that qualifies those of any age for a yearly exam covered by OHIP. Mention your diagnosis when you call, and we will confirm your coverage before the visit.
What is an Optomap, and do I still need dilation?
An Optomap is a special camera that takes a wide-field image of the back of your eye, capturing approximately 80% of the retina in a single image. It's quick, comfortable, and doesn't require dilating drops, so you can typically avoid the temporary light sensitivity and blurred near vision that dilation can cause. However, an Optomap image doesn't replace every part of a comprehensive eye exam. Depending on your eye health and examination findings, your optometrist may still recommend dilating your pupils for a more detailed assessment. Your optometrist will let you know when dilation is necessary to ensure your eyes receive the care they need.
What should I bring to my eye exam?
To help make your visit go smoothly, please bring:
- Your Ontario health card so we can check your OHIP eligibility.
- Your current glasses or contact lenses so your optometrist can assess your vision needs.
- A list of your medications to help us understand your overall health.
- Sunglasses in case your exam includes dilating drops, which can cause temporary light sensitivity.
If this is your first visit to our clinic, you can complete your health history forms online ahead of your appointment to save time during your visit. This would be emailed as part of your appointment confirmation after booking your visit. We look forward to seeing you!
When should my child have their first eye exam?
A child's first eye exam is recommended at around 6 months of age to ensure their eyes and vision are developing properly. After that, children should have another exam around age 3, followed by yearly eye exams throughout childhood. If you notice any concerns with your child's eyes or vision, book an appointment sooner. The good news is that OHIP covers an annual comprehensive eye exam for eligible children and youth under age 20. Give us a call to book your child's appointment. We're happy to help your little one get off to a great start with healthy vision!
How long will my appointment take?
The length of your appointment depends on the services and tests you need. A typical comprehensive eye exam takes approximately 30 minutes to 1 hour. If our screening tests identify any concerns, your optometrist may recommend additional testing to get a more complete picture of your eye health. We do our best to let you know what to expect when you book your appointment, so you can plan your visit with confidence.
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Contact lenses
We offer a variety of contact lenses to suit your lifestyle and vision needs, including daily, biweekly, and monthly disposable lenses, multifocal lenses, and specialty lenses for unique prescriptions or eye conditions.
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Specialty eye care
At Oshawa Optometry, we offer specialized eye care services tailored to your unique needs, including low vision care, dry eye management, myopia management, glaucoma management, laser vision co-management, and Ministry of Transportation (MTO) testing.
Children, adults and seniors are all seen here, and patients come to us from Oshawa, Whitby and across Durham Region. Book online, or call (905) 433-2015 and we will find you a time.
How to book
Ready when you are
Most routine eye exams can be booked online. Appointments are booked through our electronic medical records program, where current patients can sign in and new patients would register once. For OHIP-funded care, specialty care, or contact lens fittings, please call us so our staff can confirm your eligibility ahead of your visit.
Hours: Monday to Thursday 9 to 6, Friday 9 to 4, Saturday by appointment, Sunday closed.