Eye Exams

Prior to seeing the doctor, our patients undergo several automated tests with an optometric assistant. These instruments can measure the curvature of your eye, give an electronic measurement of your prescription, test your peripheral vision and measure the prescription in your glasses. The pre-tester will also check depth perception and color vision where appropriate.

The doctors are interested in your work and your hobbies in order to identify any special visual needs you may have. Questions about your past and current ocular and medical history are important in assessing your risk of eye health problems. Many medications have ocular side effects and it is important to know if our patients are currently taking any medications. Questions about visual symptoms, eye comfort and your reason for the visit help us determine what type of testing is required.

The doctor will perform a variety of tests to determine eye coordination, depth perception, focusing, tracking and general eye teaming. Problems with eye coordination can lead to blurred vision, headaches, double vision, fatigue and general eye strain.

Using a variety of tests, our doctors will gather and analyze information to determine what eye glass or contact lens prescription will work best for you.

This is considered by our doctors the most important part of your eye examination. It is here where the doctor will examine you for eye diseases such as cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy.

The doctors at Northern Vision Centre routinely recommend pupil dilation. Drops are put in the eye to relax the muscles that constrict your pupils. This allows the doctor to look inside the eye and see all of the structures that allow proper assessment of eye health. Pupil dilation will result in reduced ability to read, slight distance blur and general sensitivity to light for 6-24 hours, depending on the type of drop used. If you are naturally sensitive to light or if the day is very bright, we recommend you bring someone that can drive you home.

Digital retinal imaging involves taking a picture of the retina and storing it in our database in order to document change. Each time a patient comes in for an examination newly taken images are compared to the previous retinal images. As certain forms of eye disease create gradual changes in the retina, this allows for earlier detection of some diseases and is helpful in monitoring the progress of any retinal abnormalities.

OCT is a new non-contact, non-invasive imaging technology which can image retinal structures with a resolution of 10-17 microns (less than 0.002 mm). Due to this incredible resolution, a variety of diseases can be detected, such as macular holes, central serous choroidopathy, glaucoma, and many others.

There are several different types of visual fields, depending on which type of condition needs further testing. They involve testing your central and/or peripheral vision, and can detect eye diseases such as glaucoma and retinitis pigmentosa, as well as systemic diseases such as pituitary tumors and multiple sclerosis. Certain occupations also require routine visual field testing.