At every visit, your optometrist evaluates a wide range of details: imaging test results, your symptoms, how your eyes move, intraocular pressure, the appearance of your retina, how well your two eyes work together, and much more.
And it’s precisely these details that make it possible to:
- detect eye disease early (glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, dry eye, etc.); (CDC)
- fine-tune your glasses or contact lens prescription;
- protect your long-term vision;
- and, in children, monitor and slow the progression of myopia. (Ottawa Valley Vision)
Whether it’s a comprehensive eye exam, a children’s eye exam, or a routine check-up, here’s why every step truly matters, and how the expertise of VU Eyewear in Montreal can make all the difference.
1. Optometry Pre-Tests: What Are They For?
An eye exam that goes far beyond what you can see
A comprehensive eye exam begins well before anyone looks directly into your eyes.
To support your optometrist’s overall assessment, we perform a series of tests beforehand to capture images, scans, and precise measurements of your visual system.
At VU, we rigorously follow technological advances in optometry and offer the most advanced diagnostic tools available. This approach allows us to deliver a thorough exam, and for you to leave with real peace of mind, knowing your eye health has been assessed with precision.
The visual system is extremely complex and includes hundreds of structures. There is no single test capable of evaluating your eyes and vision adequately on its own. That’s why we believe it’s essential to always provide the most complete exam possible.
At VU, we call this approach the advanced eye exam, to highlight an important reality: not all eye exams are equivalent. We invite you to understand the tests we offer and their purpose, so you can better appreciate the value of rigorous, personalized eye care.
- OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography)
Detailed analysis of the retinal layers and optic nerve.
- Retinal camera
Imaging of the back of the eye for screening and monitoring various ocular conditions.
- Visual field test
Assessment of peripheral vision, essential especially for glaucoma screening.
- Tonometry
Measurement of intraocular pressure.
- Keratometry and pachymetry
Measurement of corneal curvature and thickness.
- Aberrometry
In-depth analysis of optical aberrations for more precise vision.
- Corneal topography
Detailed mapping of the corneal surface.
Additional tests, as needed
- Axial length measurement
Essential for monitoring myopia and its progression.
- Ultra-widefield retinal imaging
Expanded view of the peripheral retina.
- Meibography
Assessment of the Meibomian glands, important for dry eye evaluation.
2. Before Looking Into Your Eyes: The Questions That Change Everything
After pre-testing, our optometrists need to understand your situation in order to tailor the exam as precisely as possible.
You’ll therefore be asked to complete a questionnaire in the waiting room, then review it in the exam room with your optometrist.
Your optometrist will ask about:
- Your symptoms: blurred vision, headaches, ocular migraines, eye strain, red eyes, dry eye;
- Your work environment: screen use, precision work, night driving;
- Your lifestyle: time spent on screens, outdoor activities, sports, contact lens wear;
- Your health history: diabetes, hypertension, family history of glaucoma or macular degeneration, high myopia, etc.
This information already guides the rest of the exam. For example:
- Ocular migraines may require more in-depth binocular vision testing or visual field testing.
- Dry eye can distort certain measurements and must be addressed to improve comfort and prescription accuracy.
- In children, a visual issue can appear as learning difficulties, reduced concentration, or sitting very close to screens.
Without a detailed questionnaire, there is a real risk of missing the true cause of your symptoms.
3. Basic Measurements… That Aren’t “Basic” at All
This is the part everyone knows: reading letters. But here too, every detail matters.
Distance and near visual acuity
Your vision is measured one eye at a time, then with both eyes together, at distance and near.
What matters isn’t only the last line you can read, but also:
- how easily you read it;
- how stable your vision is;
- how much effort it takes.
In children, a slight imbalance between the two eyes may reveal amblyopia (lazy eye) or early myopia, which is why an eye exam is important from a young age, even if “everything seems fine at school.”
Refraction: your prescription is more than a number
The “strength” of your glasses (diopters) is determined by combining:
- objective measurements using automated instruments;
- subjective adjustments when you answer “clearer” or “less clear.”
The optometrist then fine-tunes:
- correction for myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, and presbyopia;
- balance between the two eyes, with prism if needed;
- binocular vision, essential for comfort and depth perception.
A misadjustment as small as half a diopter, or under-corrected astigmatism, can be enough to cause eye strain, neck pain, or daily headaches.
4. The Prescription Is Only the Tip of the Iceberg
Eye health assessment: every millimeter matters
A complete eye exam doesn’t stop at the prescription. It also includes an in-depth evaluation of your eye health.
Depending on your age, symptoms, and risk factors, the optometrist may:
- measure intraocular pressure, especially for glaucoma screening;
- examine the cornea, particularly important if you wear contact lenses;
- observe the lens to detect early cataract changes;
- analyze the retina and optic nerve, sometimes using photos or OCT scans;
- evaluate the visual field to detect abnormalities that may be early signs of certain diseases. (Canadian Association of Optometrists)
In many cases, early signs of disease are invisible to you:
- small diabetes-related hemorrhages (diabetic retinopathy);
- subtle optic nerve changes associated with glaucoma;
- weakened retinal areas in highly myopic patients;
- early macular degeneration.
A meticulous exam can detect these changes early, when it’s still possible to act and limit long-term impact on your vision.
5. For Children: An Even More Detailed Eye Exam
In a children’s eye exam, every detail is critical because the eye is still developing.
The optometrist checks, in particular:
- each eye’s ability to see clearly on its own;
- coordination between both eyes (strabismus, binocular vision);
- the presence of childhood myopia, hyperopia, or astigmatism;
- posture, reading distance, and how the child positions themselves in front of screens.
Organizations such as the Canadian Association of Optometrists recommend regular comprehensive eye exams from early childhood, then every one to two years depending on age and risk factors. (Canadian Association of Optometrists)
Why is this so important?
A detailed exam therefore helps:
- detect myopia or other vision problems early;
- implement myopia control solutions (special lenses, contact lenses, low-dose atropine, visual hygiene guidance);
- support parents with practical recommendations (screen time, outdoor time, reading distance, etc.).
6. Glasses, Progressive Lenses, Contact Lenses: The Art of Precision
Once your prescription is determined, other details come into play to ensure real everyday comfort.
That’s when the expertise of our qualified opticians becomes essential.
In optical dispensing, several measurements and evaluations are essential, including:
- pupillary distance (distance between your eyes);
- fitting height;
- frame tilt and curvature;
- vertex distance (distance from lenses to your eyes);
- posture and wearing habits;
- your specific needs related to glasses or contact lenses.
These parameters are especially critical for progressive lenses.
A shift of one or two millimeters can make reading difficult, create a “swim” sensation, or lead you to adopt poor posture.
That’s where the team’s know-how and measurement precision make the difference between:
- “good enough” glasses;
- and truly comfortable glasses tailored to how you work, read, and drive.
For contact lenses
A well-fitted contact lens solution isn’t only about the correct power. It also requires:
- measuring corneal curvature;
- choosing the right lens diameter and material;
- assessing tear quality (dryness, tear film stability);
- checking how the lens behaves on the eye after some wearing time.
If a detail is overlooked, it can lead to:
- discomfort;
- redness;
- increased dryness;
- a higher risk of infection.
Here again, every detail matters, and you feel it every day.
7. And What About the Price? What the Eye Exam Really Covers
Many people wonder: “How much does an eye exam cost?” or search “eye exam price” before booking an appointment.
The cost of an eye exam can vary from one clinic to another, depending on:
- the time spent with the optometrist;
- and especially the technologies used and included (retinal photos, scans, visual field, etc.).
You may see a low-price eye exam promotion, for example at $120. However, there’s a strong chance those exams don’t include certain tests that are important for eye health. Often, those tests are offered à la carte and can quickly increase the final bill.
That’s why, at VU, we chose to include the most important exams and technologies from the start and offer a complete exam at a clear, transparent price of $145.
In some cases, children’s eye exams or certain medical exams may be covered by RAMQ or private insurance, depending on your situation.
Ultimately, what you’re paying for is:
- a complete assessment of your vision;
- screening for potentially silent eye diseases;
- personalized recommendations (glasses, progressive lenses, contact lenses, treatments, and habits to adjust).
The more detailed the exam, the better your chances of keeping your eyes healthy in the long run.
Conclusion: An Eye Exam Is an Investment in Your Future Vision
In the end, every detail matters during an eye exam:
- a single answer on the questionnaire;
- half a diopter in your prescription;
- one millimeter in how your lenses are fitted;
- a micro-anomaly spotted on your retina through ultra-widefield imaging.
Taken together, these details make all the difference between:
- “seeing fairly well” and seeing comfortably all day;
- simply “correcting” your vision and truly protecting it for years to come;
- detecting an eye disease early… or too late.
Want to check in on your vision, or your child’s?
Book a comprehensive eye exam at VU Eyewear in Montreal and benefit from a team that takes the time to focus on every detail of your eyes.
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