Are Diabetic Eye Exams Covered in Alberta?
17-05-2024
Diabetic Eye Health Exams Are Covered in Alberta
Diabetes eye health exams are covered by Alberta Health Care. When you book your appointment, be certain to state that you have diabetes and would like to book a diabetes eye health exam.How is a diabetes eye health exam different from a comprehensive eye exam?
A diabetes eye health exam assesses the areas of the eye that can be affected by diabetes, including the retina. An eye health exam does not include the issuance of prescription for eyeglasses or contact lenses. To obtain a prescription one must have a comprehensive eye exam. Comprehensive eye exams are covered by Alberta Health Care for individuals under 19 years of age and those 65 years and older.What Occurs During a Diabetes Eye Health Exam?
A diabetes eye health exam is done by an optometrist (a doctor trained in diagnosing and treating eye diseases) or an ophthalmologist (a doctor trained in surgery and other advanced treatment of eye diseases). You don’t need a referral from your family doctor to see an optometrist, but you need one to see an ophthalmologist. During a diabetes eye health exam, your eyes may be dilated. This is done with eye drops that make your pupils (the black, centre part of the eye) larger. Having your eyes dilated lets your optometrist or ophthalmologist have a clear view of the retina at the back of your eye. Your optometrist or ophthalmologist will let you know if your eyes will be dilated during the appointment. If your eyes are dilated, you may be sensitive to light and have blurry vision for several hours. You won’t be able to drive for a few hours after your eyes are dilated. You will need someone to drive you home after the exam.How Often Is A Diabetes Eye Health Exam Needed?
Diabetics should have a diabetes eye health exam once a year or as often as your optometrist or ophthalmologist says you need one. But if you experience changes to your vision, make an appointment to see your optometrist or ophthalmologist right away. Please note, diabetics may not immediately notice changes to their eyes or eyesight as diabetic retinopathy develops and/or advances. Accordingly, regular comprehensive eye exams and diabetes eye health exams are essential for the early detection, treatment, and management of diabetic retinopathy.Manage Your Diabetes With An Eye Exam Every 6 Months
To best manage your diabetes it is recommended to schedule an exam every size months.- A Comprehensive Eye Exam
- A Diabetes Health Exam (6 months later)
Adult Eye Exams
Our advanced eye exams consist of 25+ modern tests and digital scans to assess eye health, function, and visual acuity.
Child Eye Exams
Give your child a clear future with an annual eye exam from our experienced Edmonton optometrists.
Senior Eye Exams
Maintain your vision through your golden years with gold standard eye care from the optometrists at our Edmonton eye clinic.
Contact Lens Eye Exams
Our eye exams for contact lens wearers include test and digital scans to assess eye health, function, visual acuity, and lens fit.
Diabetic Eye Exams
Managing diabetes requires regular eye exams to ensure that diabetes is not causing irreversible vision loss.
Dilated Eye Exams
Dilating the eyes enables our Edmonton optometrists to see more of the eye so that you many never see less.
Our Edmonton Eye Exams Are Comprised Of 4 Phases Of Evaluation
1. Eye Exam Pre-Testing
Corneal Thickness | Intraocular Pressures | Visual Field
Pre-testing is a detailed process that gathers all necessary information for the optometrist in advance of the optometrist-administered eye examination. This process involves completing a detailed patient history, as well as a series of standard tests. Pre-testing is an essential part of the comprehensive eye exam process, providing valuable information and visuals for both the optometrist and the patient.
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2. Advanced Diagnostic Testing
Retinal Photography, OCT, Topography
eye-deology Vision Care differentiates itself from other clinics by having the most advanced modern diagnostic specialty testing equipment. Specialty equipment, such as a wide-angle high-resolution retinal imager, Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), Humphrey Visual Field Analyzer and corneal topographer, ensures that patients receive the best comprehensive eye care.
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3. Optometrist Examination
Health Assessment & Disease Diagnosis
eye-deology Vision Care Edmonton optometrists perform a multitude of tests and assessments to evaluate ocular health, eye coordination, and visual acuity. In addition, they also evaluate the results of the tests and scans performed during pre-testing. As part of patient education, our optometrists also take the time to show and explain results to patients.
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4. Eye Glass Consult
Prescription | Lens Selection | Digital Fitting
If you require corrective lenses to improve your vision, our licensed opticians will customize their fit to your unique attributes, needs, lifestyle, and budget. Our opticians are happy to provide you with information about the latest eyeglass frame and lens technologies available so you can make informed decisions and begin seeing and looking your best.
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