Eye exams are often overlooked, but they’re one of the most essential parts of preserving your eyesight. They aren’t just about getting a prescription—though they’re great for that! Regular comprehensive eye exams are about making sure your eyes are healthy, your vision is clear, and you’re not at risk of developing severe eye conditions. However, there is a financial side to eye exams that needs to be considered.
In Calgary, you can typically expect to pay around $0-300 for a comprehensive eye exam. This price can vary depending on your Alberta Health coverage, your age, and whether you wear contact lenses or not.
Why are Eye Exams Important?
Eye exams are crucial. However, most people tend to imagine going through a few simple tests to get a new prescription. While this is a large part of comprehensive examinations, it’s not the only purpose.
Your eyes are an unbelievably complex part of your body. There are plenty of minuscule parts, all of which play a role in giving you the gift of sight. From your cornea to your retina, each of these parts is as crucial as the last.
During an eye exam, your Optometrist will carefully examine all of these different parts. They’ll be tracking any changes from your last visit and determining whether or not you’re at risk of certain problems. This lets them intervene when necessary to help keep your eyes healthy and your vision clear.
What Can Be Detected During an Eye Exam?
Eye exams can reveal a host of conditions that might otherwise go unnoticed. Some common issues that can be detected during your exam include:
- Vision problems like nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, and presbyopia
- Diseases such as glaucoma, cataracts, and macular degeneration
- Systemic conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol
- Infections, like bacterial or viral conjunctivitis
- Eye issues, such as dry eye syndrome and allergic responses
Many of these can develop subtly and don’t showcase many obvious signs in their earlier stages. By regularly scheduling eye exams, you’ll be up-to-date on any changes occurring in your eyes.
Does Alberta Health Cover Eye Care?
When it comes to medical coverage, the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan covers most residents for all kinds of services. This plan usually covers:
- Medical services provided by a licensed physician
- Psychiatrist visits
- Diagnostic services and lab exams
- Oral and maxillofacial surgery services
- Hospital visits and any associated care
- Emergency care and surgeries
When it comes to more specific services—like eye care—it becomes a little more complicated.
When Does Alberta Health Cover Eye Exams?
Alberta Health coverage for eye exams varies depending on specific situations. Here’s a breakdown of the coverage:
For children under 19: Alberta Health fully covers comprehensive eye exams, ocular health checks, and emergency visits. However, contact lens fittings are not covered.
For adults 65 and older: At our office, we incorporate advanced diagnostics like OCT retinal imaging and Ultra Wide Field imaging into our exams, which are crucial for diagnosing and managing conditions common in seniors. Alberta Health covers basic eye exam necessities but not Advanced imaging and we charge $35.
Medically necessary exams: Alberta Health covers problem specific eye health assessments. They may be prescribed by a healthcare professional, due to medications that are known to affect the eye (e.g., Plaquenil, chronic steroids), or for other health conditions that affect the eyes (eg Diabetes or hypertension), or a patient may self refer if they suspect a problem. Note that if a refraction or glasses prescription update is performed during these visits there will be a fee, as it cannot be billed to Alberta Health unless the patient is under 19 or over 65.
Previously diagnosed eye conditions: Annual Ocular Health Checks for these conditions are typically covered.
For patients between 19 and 64, routine eye exams are not covered by Alberta Health. Contact lens exams and fittings incur additional fees due to the custom nature of the service.
Remember, coverage can change, so it’s always best to check with our office or Alberta Health for the most current information.
How Much Do Eye Exams Cost?
If you don’t meet the above qualifications, you’ll need to pay out-of-pocket for your examination or with additional insurance coverage.
If you are between the ages of 19-64, a standard comprehensive eye exam at Eye Q Optometry is either $165, or $205 for contact lens wearers.
At Eye Q Optometry, our pricing varies depending on the type of eye exam and any additional testing. Our eye exam prices are:
- Adult comprehensive eye exam: $165
- Adult comprehensive eye exam and contact lens exam: $205
- Child comprehensive eye exam (if not covered by Alberta Health): $85
- Child contact lens exam (with Alberta Health coverage for the comprehensive eye exam): $40
- Senior comprehensive eye exam (with Alberta Health Coverage): $35
- Senior comprehensive eye exam and contact lens exam (with Alberta Health Coverage): $75
- Emergency eye exam (if not covered by Alberta Health): $100
- Non-medical Visual Field test (eg for Drivers Vision Form): $50
- Bailey Lovie Testing (eg. For Police or RCMP form): $50
- Vision Therapy Assessment: $300
- Vision Therapy Block (8 sessions): $1200
Certain types of contact lens fittings come with an additional cost, anywhere from $45-100 depending on the type of specialty contact lenses, and whether or not you are a new or seasoned wearer there may be a $90 fee for a 45 min placement training.
For the most accurate pricing based on your needs, contact Eye Q Optometry and we will be happy to explain the cost of your exam.
What to Expect from an Eye Exam
During your eye exam, there are going to be some key steps. It all begins the moment you walk in the doors.
First, you’ll talk to your Optometrist about recent changes in your vision or anything unusual. It helps to bring along a list of any medication you’re using and your current eyeglasses and contact lens prescription. This helps your Optometrist tailor the exam to your unique needs.
Then, you’ll go into the exam room. Your Eye Q Optometrist will use a series of machines and exercises to test your::
- Visual acuity
- Eye alignment
- Pupil response
- Intraocular pressure
- Assess the ocular surface and inside the eye
- Photo document the inside of the eyes
- Scan the retinal layers to check the parts that cannot be seen with the microscope
If needed, they may perform some additional testing. This all helps them understand what’s occurring inside your eyes—and if intervention is needed.
Where to Get an Eye Exam in Calgary
Eye exams are an excellent way to stay on top of your eye health. That’s why our team here at Eye Q Optometry is happy to offer comprehensive eye exams to those living in the Calgary area. We’re here to help provide you with quality eye care, so book an appointment with us today.
