January 15, 2025
It is one of the most common questions we hear at Fantastic Glasses: "How often do I really need an eye exam?" The answer depends on your age, your health, your family history, and your daily visual demands. What does not change is this: regular eye exams are one of the most important preventive health appointments you can make, and too many Canadians are letting too much time pass between visits.
According to the Canadian Association of Optometrists, nearly 30% of Canadian adults have not had an eye exam in the last two years. Many of those people assume that because they can see "well enough," their eyes must be healthy. That assumption is dangerous. Some of the most sight-threatening conditions — glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration — develop slowly and painlessly, causing irreversible damage before you notice any symptoms.
This article breaks down how often you should get an eye exam in Okotoks based on your age group, outlines the risk factors that may require more frequent visits, explains Alberta Health coverage in detail, and addresses the growing concern of digital eye strain in our screen-saturated world.
Eye Exam Frequency by Age Group
The recommended frequency for routine eye exams varies by age because the risks and visual demands at each stage of life are different. Here is what the evidence supports:
Infants and Toddlers (Birth to Age 4)
Your child's first eye assessment should happen between 6 and 9 months of age. At this stage, the optometrist is not checking for a glasses prescription — they are looking for proper eye alignment, normal eye movement, and healthy development of the visual system. Conditions like amblyopia (lazy eye) and strabismus (crossed eyes) are most treatable when caught early, ideally before age 3.
A second assessment at age 2-3 helps confirm that the visual system is developing normally before your child enters preschool. Many vision problems in young children go undetected because the child does not know that what they see is not normal — they have nothing to compare it to.
Children and Teens (Ages 5 to 18)
School-age children should have annual eye exams. This is not optional or excessive — it is backed by strong evidence and supported by Alberta Health, which covers these exams fully for everyone under 19.
There are several reasons why annual exams matter for this age group:
- Rapid prescription changes: Children's eyes are still growing, and prescriptions can change significantly from year to year. An outdated prescription affects reading ability, classroom performance, and even behaviour.
- Myopia progression: Myopia (nearsightedness) is increasing globally, and it typically develops and progresses during childhood. Annual monitoring allows your optometrist to track progression and recommend interventions like myopia control lenses or contact lenses when appropriate.
- Learning connection: Up to 80% of classroom learning is visual. A child who cannot see the board clearly, who gets headaches after reading, or who loses their place on the page frequently may be struggling with an undiagnosed vision problem — not a lack of effort or ability.
- Screen time effects: Today's children spend more time on screens than any previous generation. Monitoring the effects of this prolonged near work on their developing visual systems is essential.
At Fantastic Glasses, we see patients from age 5 and up. Our team is experienced in working with children and knows how to make the exam comfortable and even fun for younger patients. A child who has a positive experience at the optometrist is more likely to maintain the habit of regular exams throughout their life.
Young Adults (Ages 19 to 39)
If you have no risk factors and your vision is stable, the general recommendation is an eye exam every two to three years during this age range. However, you should switch to annual exams if any of the following apply:
- You wear contact lenses (annual exams are required to renew your prescription)
- You have a family history of glaucoma, macular degeneration, or other eye diseases
- You have diabetes or are pre-diabetic
- You take medications that can affect your eyes (corticosteroids, certain antidepressants, hydroxychloroquine)
- You have had eye surgery (LASIK, PRK, or other procedures)
- You work in a visually demanding environment (extended screen use, precision work, hazardous conditions)
This is also the age range where people are most likely to skip exams entirely, thinking "my eyes are fine." Do not fall into this trap. Many conditions that cause problems later in life can be detected in their earliest stages during your 20s and 30s. Establishing a baseline now — including detailed retinal imaging — gives your optometrist a reference point for detecting changes over time.
Adults (Ages 40 to 64)
Starting at 40, eye exams should happen every one to two years. This is the decade when several age-related changes become noticeable:
- Presbyopia: The lens inside your eye gradually loses its flexibility, making it harder to focus on close-up work. This is universal — it happens to everyone, whether or not you needed glasses before. You will notice it first when reading in dim light, then in normal light, then when looking at your phone. Progressive lenses, reading glasses, or multifocal contact lenses can correct it.
- Early cataracts: Most people develop some degree of cataract formation by their 60s, but the process often begins in the 40s and 50s. Early detection allows for monitoring and planning.
- Glaucoma risk increases: Intraocular pressure and optic nerve health should be monitored regularly from age 40 onward, especially if you have a family history.
- Dry eye: Hormonal changes (particularly in women going through perimenopause and menopause) can significantly affect tear production and quality.
Seniors (Ages 65 and Older)
Annual eye exams are strongly recommended — and fully covered by Alberta Health — for everyone 65 and older. The risk of virtually every significant eye condition increases with age:
- Macular degeneration — the leading cause of vision loss in Canadians over 50
- Glaucoma — risk doubles every decade after age 40
- Cataracts — nearly universal by age 75, though severity varies
- Diabetic retinopathy — risk increases with duration of diabetes
Regular exams at this stage are about much more than updating your glasses prescription. They are a critical screening tool for conditions that can steal your independence if left undetected.
Quick Reference: Recommended Exam Frequency
| Age Group | Recommended Frequency | Alberta Health Covered? |
|---|---|---|
| Infants (6-12 months) | First assessment | Yes |
| Toddlers (2-4 years) | At least once before school | Yes |
| Children/Teens (5-18) | Annually | Yes |
| Young Adults (19-39) | Every 2-3 years (annually if risk factors) | No (unless medical condition) |
| Adults (40-64) | Every 1-2 years | No (unless medical condition) |
| Seniors (65+) | Annually | Yes |
| Diabetic patients (any age) | Annually | Yes |
Risk Factors That Warrant More Frequent Exams
The schedules above are guidelines for people with no special risk factors. If any of the following apply to you, talk to your optometrist in Okotoks about whether you should be seen more frequently:
Diabetes
Diabetes deserves its own section because of how significantly it affects eye health. Diabetic retinopathy — damage to the blood vessels in the retina caused by high blood sugar — is the leading cause of blindness in working-age Canadians. It can develop in anyone with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, and the risk increases with the duration of the disease.
If you have diabetes, you need a comprehensive eye exam at least once a year, regardless of your age. Alberta Health covers these exams because of the established medical need. During a diabetic eye exam, your optometrist will dilate your pupils and carefully examine the blood vessels in your retina, looking for signs of leaking, swelling, abnormal vessel growth, or retinal detachment.
The critical thing to understand about diabetic retinopathy is that by the time you notice vision changes, significant damage has already occurred. Early-stage diabetic retinopathy has no symptoms. None. The only way to catch it is through a dilated eye exam. Treatment is highly effective when the condition is caught early — and far less effective when it is caught late. This is not a screening you can afford to skip.
Family History of Eye Disease
Glaucoma, macular degeneration, and several other eye conditions have strong genetic components. If a parent, sibling, or grandparent has been diagnosed with any of these conditions, your risk is elevated. Make sure your optometrist knows your family history — it directly affects the screening protocols they should be using.
High Myopia
If your prescription is stronger than -6.00 diopters, you have high myopia. This significantly increases your risk of retinal detachment, glaucoma, and myopic macular degeneration. Annual exams with retinal imaging are strongly recommended.
Previous Eye Surgery or Injury
Whether you have had LASIK, cataract surgery, or a past eye injury, regular follow-up is important. Surgical changes to the eye can affect intraocular pressure measurements and retinal health over time.
Certain Medications
Some commonly prescribed medications can affect your vision or eye health. Hydroxychloroquine (used for autoimmune conditions) can cause retinal toxicity with long-term use. Corticosteroids (oral or inhaled) can increase intraocular pressure and accelerate cataract formation. Some antidepressants and antihistamines can worsen dry eye. If you take any of these, mention it to your optometrist.
Digital Eye Strain: The Modern Epidemic
Canadians spend an average of 11 hours per day looking at screens. For many working adults, that number is even higher when you combine work computer use, smartphone time, and evening television. This level of sustained near-focus work places demands on the visual system that our eyes simply did not evolve to handle.
Digital eye strain — also called computer vision syndrome — is not a single condition but a collection of symptoms:
- Eye fatigue and discomfort
- Dry, irritated eyes
- Blurry vision (especially when shifting focus between screen and distance)
- Headaches, particularly around the forehead and temples
- Neck and shoulder tension from poor posture at the screen
- Difficulty focusing at the end of the day
Digital eye strain does not cause permanent damage to your eyes, but it significantly affects your comfort and productivity. And for some people, the symptoms mask an underlying prescription problem that a proper eye exam would identify.
What You Can Do About It
The 20-20-20 rule is the most practical starting point: every 20 minutes, look at something at least 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. This gives your focusing muscles a brief rest. Beyond that:
- Get a current prescription. An outdated prescription forces your eyes to work harder to compensate, amplifying strain symptoms.
- Consider computer-specific glasses. These are tuned to the typical distance between your eyes and your screen (usually 50-70 cm) and may include a mild anti-fatigue power boost for near work. They are different from your everyday glasses and can make a dramatic difference in comfort.
- Ask about blue light filtering. While the evidence on blue light causing eye damage is still evolving, many patients report subjectively less eye fatigue with blue light filtering lenses, particularly for evening screen use.
- Address dry eye. Screen use reduces your blink rate by up to 66%, which accelerates tear evaporation. Artificial tears, humidifiers, and proper hydration all help. If dry eye persists, your optometrist can recommend targeted treatments.
- Optimize your workspace. Position your screen so the top of the monitor is at or slightly below eye level, about an arm's length away. Reduce glare from windows and overhead lighting. Increase text size if you find yourself leaning forward to read.
If digital eye strain is affecting your daily life, book an eye exam sooner rather than later. Your optometrist can determine whether an updated prescription, specialized lenses, or dry eye treatment would help — and rule out any underlying conditions that might be contributing to your symptoms.
Alberta Health Coverage: What You Need to Know
Understanding Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) coverage helps you plan your appointments and avoid unexpected costs.
Fully covered (no out-of-pocket cost for the exam):
- Children and teens under 19 — annual exams
- Seniors 65 and older — annual exams
- Patients with diabetes — annual exams at any age
- Medical eye emergencies — injuries, sudden vision loss, infections
- Patients with certain diagnosed eye conditions requiring ongoing monitoring
Not covered by Alberta Health:
- Routine eye exams for adults aged 19-64 without a qualifying medical condition
- Contact lens fittings and follow-ups
- Refractive surgery consultations
For adults in the 19-64 range without coverage, most employer-sponsored extended health benefit plans cover eye exams every 12 or 24 months. Many also provide an annual allowance for eyewear (frames and lenses) and sometimes a separate allowance for contact lenses. Check your plan details or bring your insurance card when you visit — at Fantastic Glasses, we handle direct insurance billing for most major providers, so you can see your actual out-of-pocket cost before making any decisions.
Pro tip: Many insurance plans reset on January 1. If you have unused vision benefits, book your exam and order your eyeglasses before year-end to maximize your coverage. If you need multiple pairs, our 3-for-1 deal combined with your insurance benefits can make comprehensive eye care remarkably affordable.
When to Book Immediately (Do Not Wait)
Regardless of when your next scheduled exam is, certain symptoms warrant an immediate appointment:
- Sudden vision loss in one or both eyes — even if it resolves
- Flashes of light — especially in your peripheral vision
- Sudden onset of floaters — a shower of new spots or a curtain-like shadow
- Eye pain — especially if accompanied by redness, light sensitivity, or nausea
- Double vision — seeing two overlapping images
- Halos around lights — especially if this is a new symptom
- Significant redness or discharge — signs of infection or inflammation
These symptoms can indicate retinal detachment, acute glaucoma, optic neuritis, or other conditions that require urgent treatment. Do not wait for your regular appointment. Book with any Okotoks eye care provider — whether that is Fantastic Glasses, Eyes360, or another local clinic — and be seen as soon as possible. Time matters with these conditions.
Take the First Step
If you are reading this article and realizing it has been too long since your last eye exam, you are not alone. Life gets busy, and it is easy to push preventive health appointments to the bottom of the list. But your vision is too important to neglect, and catching problems early is always better than treating them late.
You can book your appointment online or call us at (587) 997-3937. We are located in Okotoks and open Monday, Tuesday, and Friday from 10 AM to 6 PM, Wednesday and Thursday from 10 AM to 7 PM, and Saturday from 10 AM to 5 PM. Every eyewear purchase includes a free Essilor R800 eye test — because we believe great eye care should be accessible to everyone.
Your eyes deserve attention. Book your exam today.