Senior's Eye Care Exam

Seniors are at higher risk for a wider variety of eye health issues. Because of this, seniors need to visit their eye doctor more frequently than they did as an adult. Alberta Health Care recommends an annual visit once a person turns sixty-five.

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Affordable Eye Care For Seniors

Thankfully, Alberta Health doesn’t tell you to go to the doctor more without taking into consideration that this could be a financial burden. They cover the cost of eye examinations for Albertans age sixty-five and over. If you’ve had healthy eyes your entire life and haven’t noticed changes in your vision, it may be tempting to delay regular visits to the optometrist, especially if you’re on a budget. We’re happy to direct you to Alberta Health programs and resources to keep your costs at a minimum. In addition, we can suggest affordable options for glasses and contacts.

Book An Appointment

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Specialized Eye Exams For Seniors

Aging naturally affects most people’s vision and puts them at an increased risk for certain eye diseases. Because of this, senior patients at our Calgary eye clinic receive specialized care.

Eyes and Aging

As you age, changes to your vision might be so gradual you don’t even notice. That doesn’t mean, however, that you shouldn’t address them.

Common Age-Related Changes In Eyes and Eyesight:

• Decreased colour vision
• Dry eyes
• Reduced pupil size
• Decrease in peripheral vision
• Presbyopia

Minor adjustments to your routine could improve your quality of life more than you realize if you’re experiencing any of these issues. Your optometrist can work with you to determine what’s needed.

For example:

• Use higher contrast on your computer settings.
• Make work and reading spaces brighter.
• Carry eye drops when you go out.

Cataracts Management

Increased Risk for Eye Conditions

• Age-Related Macular Degeneration - If you’re having trouble with tasks related to seeing straight ahead or close up, like sewing or driving, you may be experiencing macular degeneration. It affects the portion of your eye that allows you to see fine detail and blurs the central vision, often advancing painlessly and gradually.
• Diabetic Retinopathy - If you are one of the 7% of Canadians with diabetes, you will require diabetic retinopathy screenings. High blood sugar levels cause changes in the eye’s blood vessels and can lead to blindness if untreated. 
• Glaucoma - Blindness is caused when the optic nerve becomes damaged from inner eye pressure. While not reversible, further vision loss can be prevented with early detection from regular eye exams. Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness.
• Cataracts - While younger people can develop cataracts due to injury or radiation exposure, the risk factor increases with age. 

Get in touch with our Calgary eye team or browse our online guide to common eye issues to learn more about eye conditions, treatments, or to book an appointment. 

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What Is Included In A Senior’s Eye Exam?

Our Calgary eye doctor will test the following:

• vision
• coordination of eye muscles
• peripheral vision
• pupil response to light
• measurement of fluid pressure in the eye

Medication can affect vision, so please let us know if your medications have changed. We can monitor for related eye issues. We also include tests specific to the conditions and issues outlined above.

Frequently Asked Questions

Monitoring Your Eyesight At Home

Because changes in vision can happen gradually, it is important to be aware of any changes over time.

Signs of vision loss include:

• trouble driving at night or missing street signs.
• difficulty reading or writing.
• difficulty completing delicate tasks such as sewing.
• “clumsiness” when moving objects.
• difficulty distinguishing between darker colours.
• sensitivity to light, or seeing a blurred halo around light.

Make an appointment and notify your healthcare provider as soon as possible if you are experiencing these symptoms. 

Contact Us

Book an exam, screaming or update your treatment plan by getting in touch with us through our online contact form or by calling (403) 280-7518.