Most people book an eye exam when something feels wrong — blurry vision, headaches, or difficulty reading. But waiting for symptoms is actually one of the biggest mistakes you can make with your eye health.
At Illusion Eyewear & Eyecare in Mississauga, we see it regularly: patients who come in thinking their eyes are fine, only to discover changes in their prescription or early signs of a condition they had no idea was developing.
The General Rule
For most adults, a comprehensive eye exam every one to two years is recommended. But that’s a starting point — not a one-size-fits-all answer. How often you should go depends on your age, health, and risk factors.
Children and Teenagers
Children should have their first eye exam before starting school, and then every year after that. Vision problems are one of the leading causes of learning difficulties — and kids rarely complain because they assume everyone sees the way they do.
OHIP covers one comprehensive eye exam per year for children and teenagers 19 and under. There is no reason to skip it.
Adults Ages 20 to 64
If you have no known vision issues and no family history of eye disease, every two years is generally sufficient. However, annual exams are recommended if you:
- Wear glasses or contact lenses
- Have diabetes or high blood pressure
- Have a family history of glaucoma or macular degeneration
- Work long hours in front of a screen
- Notice any changes in your vision — even minor ones
Adults 65 and Older
Annual exams are strongly recommended for seniors. The risk of cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetic eye disease all increase with age — and most of these conditions are far easier to manage when caught early. OHIP covers one exam every 18 months for adults 65 and older.
What Happens If You Skip?
Skipping regular eye exams is a risk most people underestimate. Conditions like glaucoma cause no pain and no noticeable vision loss in their early stages — the damage happens silently. By the time symptoms appear, permanent vision loss may already have occurred.
An outdated prescription also puts quiet strain on your eyes and can cause headaches, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating that most people never connect back to their vision.
How Much Does It Cost?
Eye exams at Illusion Eyewear & Eyecare are $95 for adults ages 20 to 64. OHIP covers exams for children 19 and under and adults 65 and older. Most extended health plans reimburse all or part of the cost — check your coverage before assuming it comes out of pocket.
Want to learn more? Read our complete guide to eye exams in Mississauga at Illusion Eyewear & Eyecare.
Ready to Book?
If you can’t remember when your last eye exam was, it’s probably time. Not sure if you’re due? Read our guide to the 10 signs you need an eye exam. For everything you need to know about what the exam involves, read our complete guide to eye exams in Mississauga.
Illusion Eyewear & Eyecare | Erin Mills Town Centre, Mississauga