You May Want to Have Your Eyes Checked!

We see our GP for yearly physicals; get annual check-ups at the dentist; why not do the same with our optometrist? Your eyes are an invaluable help in nearly everything you do; they deserve attention and care too!

Through a comprehensive eye exam little problems that could lead, in the long run, to bigger problems can be detected and addressed with the proper care of an optometrist.

A thorough comprehensive eye exam consists of:

• Reviewing your personal visual and medical history as well as your family history
• Checking your visual acuity and peripheral vision (visual field)
• Examining your binocular vision, the alignment of your eyes, the quality of your eye movements, the coordination of your eyes, your vision in 3 dimensions (depth vision) and your ability to focus
• Evaluating your ability to see colors
• Reviewing the health of your eyes, both the external and internal structures
• Determining your prescription for vision correction through glasses or contact lenses, if needed

For parents or grandparents, it is important that children have their first eye examination around the age of six months. Much of early learning is processed through vision and the optometrist can determine, even in a six-month-old child, how well the optical system is performing and contributing to healthy development.

Pre-school children should see an optometrist at least once between the ages of 2 and 5.  Once children are in school full time, an annual eye examination allows the optometrist to detect vision problems that could contribute to learning issues if left uncorrected.

For adults a routine eye examination should be performed every 12 to 24 months, depending on eye health and risk factors.  During the exam, the optometrist can detect early signs of conditions like hypertension, high cholesterol, vascular disease, thyroid disease and diabetes.

As we age there are more complex eye health issues that can arise. While examining seniors, the optometrist will look for and monitor signs of cataracts, macular degeneration, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy.  By consulting the optometrist every year after the age of 65, it is possible to detect and treat cases quickly to prevent or delay vision loss and promote the maintenance of eye health.

Depending on the results of the exam, the optometrist will recommend glasses, contact lenses, exercises, nutritional supplements such as vitamins or omega-3, surgery or simply to come back in a year.  If a more serious problem is identified, the optometrist can prescribe medication, develop a treatment plan or provide a referral to a consult with a specialist.

Since May is Vision Health Month, why not take this opportunity to book an appointment and get in-SIGHT on your eye health? To book an eye exam with IRIS, click here.

---

CARP members receive exceptional benefits at IRIS:

• $150 towards any complete pair of prescription eyewear (frame and lenses valued at $250 or more) or prescription sunglasses
• $50 towards the purchase of an annual supply of contact lenses
• $50 towards non-prescription sunglasses valued at $100 or more
• $500 towards vision correction procedures at our ophthalmology clinic in Laval, Quebec
• $25 towards the purchase of 3 or more bottles of Eye Omega Benefits 240 Gel Caps

Register with CARP and receive your IRIS Benefits. Visit www.carp.ca.