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At Southgate Eye Care, we strive to make each visit comfortable and productive. Your eye health is always our top priority. Have questions before an upcoming appointment? Browse our FAQ section, or get in contact!
Optometry is a specialized field within healthcare dedicated to diagnosing, treating, and managing eye and vision disorders. Both optometrists and ophthalmologists are extensively trained professionals committed to delivering complete eye care services.
The frequency of eye exams can vary based on age and eye health. According to the Canadian Association of Optometrists, infants should undergo their initial eye examination between six and nine months. Before starting school, children should have another exam, and then they should continue to have yearly exams throughout their school years.
For adults, a comprehensive eye exam is recommended every year. Individuals over the age of 65 also should have annual eye exams. Those with particular eye conditions or health concerns might need more frequent examinations.
The Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan covers the cost of annual eye exams for children aged 18 and under, as well as for seniors aged 65 and older. Full coverage is also available for certain medical conditions.
Many private insurance plans provide coverage for optometry care and corrective eyewear prescriptions. We accept a wide range of major vision insurance plans at our clinic. Please remember to bring your insurance details when you visit!
No special preparation is needed for a routine eye exam. However, it’s helpful to bring along your current glasses or contact lenses and be ready to share your medical and vision history.
As we get older, changes in our vision are common. Symptoms such as blurry vision, difficulty seeing near or far, eye strain, headaches, or squinting may mean it is time for glasses.
It’s crucial to catch and address vision problems early in children to prevent an impact on their development and learning. Signs like excessive eye rubbing, squinting, sitting too close to screens, closing one eye often, or eyes that cross or drift should prompt a visit to the optometrist.
Specialized contact lenses are available for those with astigmatism and presbyopia. Your optometrist can assist you in selecting the ideal lenses.
We offer thorough eye exams for individuals of all ages, focusing on children. Identifying and addressing vision issues early is crucial for a child’s development and success in school. We maintain a friendly environment to ensure that young patients feel at ease.
Emergencies occur at the most inconvenient times. We are committed to providing emergency eye care to our patients when needed. Please call our emergency line for assistance.
Dry eye is a condition where the eyes do not produce enough tears or the tears evaporate too quickly, leading to irritation, redness, and discomfort. Optometrists can help manage dry eye by diagnosing the underlying causes and doing procedures to improve tear production and retention. Regular consultations ensure that treatments are effective.
As screen time increases, so does the prevalence of digital eye strain. Adopting healthy digital habits is crucial if you often experience headaches or eye strain after prolonged screen use.
We advise practicing the 20-20-20 rule to mitigate strain: every 20 minutes, pause for 20 seconds to look at something 20 feet away. This simple routine helps relax your eyes periodically. Additionally, ensure your screen is positioned at least 20 inches from your eyes!
Protecting your eyes from UV (ultraviolet) damage is essential for preserving eye health and preventing various eye conditions. It’s important to select sunglasses that provide 100% UV protection and to wear them consistently when outdoors, regardless of the weather. Our clinic offers stylish UV-protective glasses and can also add UV protection to any prescription glasses.
Cloudy vision can result from various factors, with cataracts being the most prevalent cause. Cataracts are an age-related condition in which the eye’s natural lens clouds over, leading to blurred vision, heightened sensitivity to glare, and challenges seeing in dim lighting. If you’re experiencing these symptoms, scheduling an appointment with your optometrist is essential.
Give us a call if you have any questions and we can help you out. We have three convenient locations across Edmonton and we offer a wide variety of eye exams and treatments.