Questions? We Have the Answer

Optometry is a branch of healthcare that focuses on the diagnosis, treatment, and management of vision and eye-related conditions. Optometrists and ophthalmologists are highly trained healthcare professionals who provide comprehensive eye care services, protecting your vision and eye health.

This depends on your age and overall eye health. The Canadian Association of Optometrists recommends that babies receive their first eye exam between six to nine months of age. Children should have their eyes examined again before beginning school, then annually throughout their school years.

It’s recommended that adults book a comprehensive eye exam every two to three years, while annual exams are encouraged for older adults over the age of 65 years. However, individuals with specific eye conditions or health issues may require more frequent check-ups.

Good news! The Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) covers the cost of annual eye exams for children 18 years old and under, and older adults 65 years and older. Full coverage may also be available for some specific medical conditions.

Many private insurance plans also cover optometry care and corrective eyewear prescriptions. We accept most major vision insurance plans and encourage you to bring your insurance information with you so that our staff can assist you in processing your claim.

Our comprehensive eye exams enable us to check your vision and eye health, addressing any symptoms or underlying concerns. They are usually quick and painless and many of our patients find the process enjoyable.

Your optometrist will assess your visual acuity, check for eye diseases, and evaluate your overall eye wellness. This includes a vision test, screening for refractive errors, identifying conditions like glaucoma, and assessing the health of your retina and optic nerve.

There is no specific preparation required for a standard eye exam. You may want to bring your current glasses or contact lenses, and be prepared to provide a medical and vision history. If you have any concerns or questions, we encourage you to discuss them with your optometrist.

As we age, it’s not uncommon to experience changes in our vision. Symptoms like blurry vision, difficulty seeing objects at a distance or up close, eye strain, headaches, or squinting could indicate that you require corrective lenses.

It’s especially important to identify and address vision issues in children so that their development and learning isn’t affected. If you notice your child rubbing their eyes excessively, squinting, sitting too close to screens, frequently closing one eye, or experiencing crossing or drifting eyes, it could indicate a problem that should be checked by your optometrist.

Yes, there are contact lenses designed specifically for individuals with astigmatism and presbyopia. Your optometrist can help determine the most suitable type of contact lenses for your unique needs and adjust your prescription as required.

We provide comprehensive eye exams for all ages, including children. Early detection and treatment of vision problems are essential for a child’s development and academic success. We create a welcoming environment to make the experience as comfortable as possible for children.

Northland Eye Care understands that emergencies often happen at inconvenient times. We’re pleased to offer emergency care to our Calgary patients, so you can rest assured that your eyes will always receive the attention they need. Contact us through our emergency phone number to be seen as soon as possible.

Dry eyes result from insufficient tear production or tears that evaporate too quickly. This can result in uncomfortable symptoms like itchy, gritty, red, irritated eyes. Left untreated, dry eyes can diminish your quality of life and even lead to preventable infections or eye damage. If you’re experiencing dry eye symptoms, book an appointment with one of our skilled optometrists who can discuss effective and personalized treatment options to provide you with relief.

As we spend more and more time on screens, digital eye strain is becoming common. It’s also known as computer vision syndrome (CVS). If you spend long periods of time looking at a screen and regularly experience headaches or eye strain, it can be helpful to adopt good digital habits.

We recommend following the 20-20-20 rule. Every 20 minutes, take a 20 second break and focus on an object 20 feet away. This gives your eyes a chance to rest and relax. It’s also helpful to position your screen at least 20 inches away from your eyes and to remind yourself to blink regularly to keep your eyes hydrated.

Protecting your eyes from UV (ultraviolet) damage is crucial for maintaining good eye health and preventing various eye conditions and diseases. Choose sunglasses that offer 100% UV protection and wear them consistently when outdoors, even on cloudy days. If you wear corrective eyewear, consider investing in a pair of prescription sunglasses.  

It’s also important to protect your eyes when participating in outdoor sports or activities that pose a risk of eye injury or UV exposure. Encourage children to wear sunglasses and hats to establish good habits early and protect their developing eyes from UV damage.

Cloudy vision may be caused by a number of factors, but the most common one is cataracts. Cataracts are an age-related eye condition where the eye’s natural lens becomes cloudy or opaque. This can cause blurry or cloudy vision, increased sensitivity to glare, and difficulty seeing in low-light conditions. Cataracts typically require surgical removal to restore clear vision, so book an appointment with your optometrist to have your eyes assessed.