So how often should you get an eye exam? The answer depends on your age, health, and risk factors.

Recommended Eye Exam Frequency by Age

Infants (6 to 9 Months)

The Canadian Association of Optometrists recommends that babies have their first eye exam between 6 and 9 months of age. Early detection of vision problems at this stage can prevent long-term issues with development and learning.

Young Children (2 to 5 Years)

Children in this age group should have at least one eye exam before starting school. Vision problems like lazy eye (amblyopia) and crossed eyes (strabismus) are much easier to treat when caught early.

School-Age Children (6 to 19 Years)

Children and teenagers should have an eye exam every year. Vision changes rapidly during school years and undetected problems can affect learning, reading, and concentration. In Ontario, annual eye exams for this age group are covered by OHIP.

Adults (20 to 64 Years)

Healthy adults with no known vision problems or risk factors should get an eye exam every one to two years. If you wear glasses or contact lenses, an annual exam is recommended to keep your prescription current.

Seniors (65 and Older)

Adults over 65 should have an eye exam every year. The risk of age-related conditions like glaucoma, cataracts, and macular degeneration increases significantly with age. Annual exams are covered by OHIP for this group.

When You Should Get an Eye Exam Sooner

You should book an eye exam right away if you experience any of the following:

• Sudden blurry or distorted vision
• Eye pain, redness, or irritation
• Frequent headaches
• Difficulty seeing at night
• Floaters or flashes of light
• Double vision

These symptoms can indicate conditions that require prompt attention.

Why Regular Eye Exams Matter Beyond Vision

Eye exams do more than check your prescription. Your optometrist can detect early signs of serious health conditions during a routine exam, including:

• Diabetes — changes in the blood vessels of the retina
• High blood pressure — visible in the eye’s blood vessels
• Glaucoma — increased eye pressure with no early symptoms
• Macular degeneration — leading cause of vision loss in seniors
• Multiple sclerosis — optic nerve changes can be an early indicator

Many of these conditions have no obvious symptoms in their early stages — which is exactly why regular exams are so important.

How Often Should You Get an Eye Exam If You Wear Glasses?

If you wear glasses or contact lenses, you should get an eye exam at least once a year. Prescriptions can change gradually and wearing an outdated prescription can cause eye strain, headaches, and difficulty focusing.

Book Your Eye Exam in Brampton

At Eyeonox, we provide comprehensive eye exams for patients of all ages — from infants to seniors. Whether you’re due for a routine checkup or experiencing vision changes, our team is here to help.

📍 115 Yellow Avens Blvd Unit #1, Brampton, ON L6R 0M5
📞 905-458-9111
🕐 Monday–Saturday: 10am–8pm | Sunday: 11am–4pm

Book Your Appointment

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Does OHIP Cover Eye Exams in Ontario?

OHIP covers routine eye exams for certain groups only. If you fall outside these groups, you will need to pay out of pocket or use your private benefits plan.

OHIP covers one routine eye exam per year for:

• Children under 20 — annual eye exams are fully covered
• Adults 65 and older — annual eye exams are fully covered
• Adults with specific medical conditions — including diabetes, glaucoma, cataracts, amblyopia, low vision, and certain retinal conditions

Who Is NOT Covered by OHIP?

Adults between the ages of 20 and 64 without a qualifying medical condition are not covered by OHIP for routine eye exams. This group is responsible for the full cost of their exam.

If you’re in this age range, check your employer benefits plan — most extended health plans cover routine eye exams every 12 to 24 months.

What Conditions Qualify for OHIP Coverage?

If you are between 20 and 64, OHIP may still cover your eye exam if you have been diagnosed with one of the following:

• Diabetes
• Glaucoma or a family history of glaucoma
• Cataracts
• Amblyopia (lazy eye)
• Strabismus (crossed eyes)
• Retinal disease
• Low vision

In these cases, OHIP covers one exam per year. Your optometrist may also bill OHIP for additional visits if medically necessary.

Does OHIP Cover Glasses or Contact Lenses?

No — OHIP does not cover the cost of prescription glasses or contact lenses for anyone. These are considered supplementary vision care and must be covered by private insurance or paid out of pocket.

Some employer benefit plans include an eyewear allowance (typically $150–$300 every 1–2 years). Check with your provider for details.

What If I Don’t Have Benefits?

If you are between 20 and 64 and do not have extended health benefits, you will need to pay for your eye exam privately. Contact Eyeonox directly for information on pricing and to book your appointment.

Regular eye exams are still worth the investment — they can catch early signs of serious conditions like glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetic eye disease before symptoms appear.

Book an Eye Exam in Brampton

Whether you’re covered by OHIP or paying privately, Eyeonox makes it easy to get the eye care you need. We serve patients of all ages across Brampton, Mississauga, and the Greater Toronto Area.

📍 115 Yellow Avens Blvd Unit #1, Brampton, ON L6R 0M5
📞 905-458-9111
🕐 Monday–Saturday: 10am–8pm | Sunday: 11am–4pm

Book Your Appointment

The post Is an Eye Exam Covered by OHIP in Ontario? appeared first on Eyeonox.

How Much Does an Eye Exam Cost in Ontario?

Eye exam costs in Ontario vary depending on the clinic, the type of exam, and whether additional testing is required. Specialty exams — such as contact lens fittings, diabetic eye assessments, or pediatric eye exams — may cost more than a routine comprehensive exam.

At Eyeonox in Brampton, we offer comprehensive eye exams for patients of all ages. Contact us to ask about current pricing or to book your appointment.

Is an Eye Exam Covered by OHIP?

OHIP does cover eye exams — but only for specific groups:

• Children under 20: One insured eye exam per year
• Adults 65 and older: One insured eye exam per year
• Adults with certain medical conditions: Including diabetes, glaucoma, cataracts, and other eye diseases — one exam per year

If you fall outside these groups, you are responsible for the full cost of the exam. However, many extended health benefit plans through employers cover routine eye exams for adults aged 20–64.

What Is Included in an Eye Exam?

A standard comprehensive eye exam at Eyeonox includes:

• Visual acuity test (how clearly you see at various distances)
• Eye pressure measurement (to screen for glaucoma)
• Retinal health assessment
• Prescription check for glasses or contact lenses
• Screening for conditions like cataracts, macular degeneration, and diabetic eye disease

Does Benefits Coverage Apply?

If you have extended health benefits through your employer or a private plan, routine eye exams are often covered every 12 to 24 months. Check with your benefits provider to confirm your coverage amount and frequency.

Common benefit providers in Ontario include Sun Life, Manulife, Green Shield Canada, and Blue Cross — most of which cover between $75 and $150 per exam.

How Often Should You Get an Eye Exam?

The Canadian Association of Optometrists recommends:

• Infants: First exam between 6–9 months
• Children (2–5 years): At least one exam
• School-age children (6–19): Every year
• Adults (20–64): Every 1–2 years
• Seniors (65+): Every year

Regular eye exams are about more than just your prescription — they can detect early signs of serious conditions like glaucoma, macular degeneration, and even diabetes.

Book an Eye Exam in Brampton

If you’re due for an eye exam, Eyeonox is a trusted eye doctor in Brampton serving patients across Mississauga and the Greater Toronto Area. We offer vision exams, children’s eye care, prescription glasses, contact lenses, and more.

📍 115 Yellow Avens Blvd Unit #1, Brampton, ON L6R 0M5
📞 905-458-9111
🕐 Monday–Saturday: 10am–8pm | Sunday: 11am–4pm

Book Your Appointment

The post How Much Does an Eye Exam Cost in Ontario? appeared first on Eyeonox.