What is an Eye Exam?

What really constitutes an eye exam? OAO's Dr. Christopher Nicol explains.

It's more than just an eye chart - a complete, comprehensive eye exam is actually a detailed examination of your visual ability, vision and eye health. This examination is defined in regulation under Ontario's Health Insurance Act as:

  1. Relevant history (ocular medical history, past medical history, family history)
  2. Visual acuity examination
  3. Ocular motility examination
  4. Refraction and the provision of a written refractive prescription if required
  5. Slit lamp examination of the anterior segment (biomicroscopy)
  6. Ophthalmoscopy by one of direct, binocular indirect ophthalmoscope, monocular indirect ophthalmoscope or non contact fundus lens
  7. Advice or instruction to the patient
 
And if required in accordance with generally accepted professional standards, any or all of the following elements:
 
  1. Tonometry
  2. Visual field examination by confrontation field
  3. Dilated fundus examination by one or more of direct, binocular indirect ophthalmoscope, monocular indirect ophthalmoscope or non-contact fundus lens
 
If the eye examination reveals that a vision problem exists and treatment with eye glasses or contact lenses is recommended, all of the information obtained from the examination is considered and a formula for eye wear is then determined. That formula becomes the prescription and cannot be determined unless all of the above elements of an examination have been performed and the results considered together.
 
The portion of the eye examination that assesses the refractive system of the eye in isolation has been described as a “refraction test” by the College of Opticians. A prescription for eye wear cannot be determined simply on the basis of the “refraction test” alone.
 

Providing eye wear is merely one component in overall vision health. There are many conditions that affect vision and often times the patient's focus is more on the symptoms, rather than on the condition itself. Optometrists are trained to diagnose the underlying causes and to ensure a full scope of eye and vision healthcare, to refer patients to other healthcare providers if needed.

So - what are the differences between the "Three O's" - Optometrists, Ophthalmologists and Opticians?

Optometrists provide the preceding evaluations, diagnoses and treatments whereas Ophthalmologists are medical doctors who have completed specialized residency training in the study, diagnosis, and treatment of eye disease. They are secondary-level health care providers and they usually use drugs and/or surgery for treatment. A person that requires ophthalmological care (to obtain cataract surgery, for example) would usually require a referral from the optometrist or family doctor.

Opticians are trained through a college program to fabricate and fit vision aids on the prescription of an optometrist or physician. Opticians are licensed to provide spectacles, and they may also dispense contact lenses and other optical aids. They do not assess, diagnose, or treat eye conditions, nor do they write out prescriptions for eyeglasses or contact lenses.

 

Dr. Christopher Nicol is a senior OAO policy advisor and Past President. of both OAO and the College of Optometrists of Ontario. He practices in Bolton at Bolton Optometry and has been honoured with multiple professional awards, including an OAO President's Award.

 

 

 

 

 

» Forgot your Username or Password?

X

» Return to Login Form

X