The is why we put together this Optometrist Toronto Guide: How to Choose an Eye Doctor for you.

There are different types of eye care specialists, so choosing the right medical professional for you can seem confusing.

Luckily, we’re here to help point you in the right direction and get you started on your journey in securing a lifetime of great vision.

What’s the Difference Between an Optometrist, Ophthalmologist and Optician?

Optometrist, Ophthalmologist, and Optician. The different titles can be confusing. So, how do you determine the eye health professional who you should be going to see in the first place?

What is an Optometrist?

In Canada, an optometrist is an eye doctor who has earned a Doctor of Optometry (O.D.) degree which requires seven to eight years of post-secondary education to obtain this highly specialized professional designation.

Optometrists are the primary healthcare practitioners of the eye and visual system. Eye doctors provide comprehensive vision and eye care, which includes dispensing and refraction, detection, diagnosis and management of eye disease, and visual system conditions rehabilitation.

Optometrists are clinically trained and licensed to provide primary eye care.  In Ontario, licensing is with the College of Optometrists of Ontario.

Video Source: Canadian Association of Optometrists & Dr. Lori Jaffary of Focus Optometry

There are some things your Toronto Optometrist will check for during your office visit.

• Expect to have an eye exam. The exam allows your Optometrist to assess and diagnose any disorders of the eye or visual systems. Your doc will be checking for common issues such as glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration.
• If you have any pre-existing conditions, such as diabetes or cardiovascular disease, your Optometrist will co-manage related symptoms that may be affecting the current state of your eye health.
• During your exam, you may be prescribed medication or receive referrals to secondary specialists. The appointment will also serve as a chance to receive prescription eyewear ranging from glasses, safety glasses, sunglasses, and contact lenses.

What is an Ophthalmologist?

Ophthalmologists are both eye disease specialists and surgeons. Training for this specialization includes a Bachelor’s degree, four years of medical school from an accredited university, as well as a hospital residency in medical and surgical care. Patients usually need a referral from an Optometrist before being seen by an Ophthalmologist.

What is an Optician?

You will usually see Opticians working in customer service roles. They are the people you will meet when you are ready to receive any prescribed visual aids like glasses and contact lenses. Opticians go through college-level training to be able to be able to provide and dispense optical aids.  They do not diagnose eye conditions and do not prescribe treatment.

Get Referrals

Once you’ve determined that you would like to receive care from an Optometrist, the next step is to figure out how to locate an eye doctor.

Other Medical Professionals

Ask your primary care physician or your child’s paediatrician if there are any well-respected eye clinics you should seek out. It is great to get a firsthand opinion from individuals who are involved in the medical practice field. If there are any pre-existing conditions, this will also give the physician a chance to refer an Optometrist that may specialize in specific areas.

Family, Friends, and Co-Workers

Think about how many people you interact with daily who wear eyeglasses or contact lenses. If they have these prescription vision aids, that means they’ve seen an eye doctor, so go ahead and ask them for a referral! Your friend may have an Optometrist that they’ve been going to for years and may even offer to stop by the office with you to make a soft introduction.

Research Professional Organizations

There are many tools online that let you search for Optometrists located in your area. Try using this one from The Canadian Association of Optometrists. Many websites allow you to search for an eye doctor by typing in your location and entering in a kilometer radius you are willing to travel.

If you have the last name of a professional you would like to locate, you can search the database of many of these websites to find out contact information as well.

Why Should You See a Toronto Eye Doctor?

You are probably familiar with the importance of receiving annual physicals to stay on top of your health proactively and to catch any possible warning signs early. Taking a proactive approach is the same reason you should be getting your eyes examined annually.

Many people are unaware of how important eye health is in regards to overall health and wellness. Early detection of possible issues can save a lot of pain, time, and money in the long run. Seeing an eye care professional will ensure that your eyes are in tiptop shape and are not negatively impacting your overall health in any way.

A common misconception is that if you are not currently experiencing any problems with your vision, then your eyes must be in perfect condition. No warning signs do not always equal perfect health though. Annual and bi-annual check-ups will help to make sure that your eyes are functioning well and will aid your Optometrist in predicting if there may be any issues that could arise down the road.

You want to deal with any complications that may cause vision loss before anything serious happens. Vision loss often occurs because symptoms have gone unnoticed or unaddressed, and receiving regular check-ups can eliminate the chances of missing key clues into the current state of your eye health.

It is a good idea to find a trusted Optometrist even if you don’t believe you are experiencing any vision issues. You could be experiencing eye strain and not even know it. Additionally, should an issue such as pink eye pop into your life, it is beneficial to have an eye care professional who already knows your background.

Figuring Out What Is Important

Do your homework. Don’t just search the Internet or phone book for the first name you see pop up. You need to look for a professional who is board-certified and who has credentials that are up-to-date. Consider choosing an eye doctor who is actively participating in medical research or educational conferences, as this is a sign that he or she is keeping up with current industry trends and best practices.

Researching into the doctor’s history is important. You can check to see if there have been any malpractice claims filed against your prospective Optometrist. If you find out that his or her license has ever been suspended or revoked, you will probably want to search for another provider.

It is important to select an Optometrist that has the background and training to be able to support your specific vision needs.  If you are experiencing a particular problem that you would like to take corrective action on, find an eye doctor who has specialized training dealing with that specific disease or malady.

Make sure that you are selecting a doctor that offers a broad range of services that will be able to meet your needs. For example, if you are interested in finding out more information about laser eye surgery Toronto, you will want to select a professional who has years of knowledge and experience caring for patients who have undergone this treatment.

Considerations Choosing the Right Toronto Eye Clinic

First impressions are important, so pay close attention to your interactions with a prospective Toronto eye clinic practice right from the beginning.

When you called to make your initial appointment, was your call promptly picked up?

Did the office staff seem knowledgeable?

Keep availability in mind.

Do you need an office that is open on the weekends or late on the weekdays?

Be sure to ask how long you will have to wait before your first exam.

When you first walk into a Toronto eye clinic, pay attention to whether it looks well taken care of and organized.  Were the staff members timely? Did they collect all of the appropriate information needed?

These small signs can serve as a quick preview of what it could be like should an emergency arise, and you need to be able to be in contact with your eye doctor immediately.

In any medical setting, cleanliness is essential.  How tidy the practice appears to be is a good indicator as to how much the Optometrist and staff value hygiene and infection control. Also pay close attention to the literature, signage, and material goods offered by the office. These pieces can clue you in as to whether your prospective provider is keeping up with the trends and guidelines within the eye care industry.

Research Toronto Optometrist reviews online. For any negative reviews, you may come across, be sure to evaluate if the complaints listed are matters of contention that are important to you.  Obviously, what one person likes another may dislike, so be sure to form your own opinions and be thoughtful when reading reviews from people who are unfamiliar.

Try not to be persuaded by age. Many variables come into play, and age may have nothing to do with the amount of specialization, research, and communication skills offered by the doctor.

Evaluate whether you should be seeing an Optometrist with experience in a particular segment of eye care. While general eye care may be all that you are looking for, it could also be beneficial to seek out an eye doctor who specializes in specific conditions or even behavioural areas.

Choosing an Optometrist for Your Child

Many eye doctors recommend that children begin to get eye exams as early as six months old.  A medical professional should ensure that a baby’s vision is tracking correctly and that there are no signs of eye crossing. The child’s paediatrician can do this basic evaluation.

Paediatricians should also be checking a child’s vision around three years of age and again before the child goes off to school. At such a young age, there is usually not a need for a child to see an Optometrist unless an eye disease or vision issue is present.

As a parent, you are the best advocate for your child, so pay close attention to any abnormalities you might pick up on regarding your son or daughters eyes. If you feel that there may be an issue, be sure to discuss it with your paediatrician. If there seems to be a concern with your child’s vision or eye health, that is when you will want to seek additional help from an Optometrist. When detected early, eye disease can be very treatable.

While there are many factors to consider and to aid you in finding the eye care professional that is right for you, it is important to find an Optometrist that you feel you can connect with and trust. Take the time to do research and determine what you are looking for in an eye care professional, and you are sure to be able to find the right fit for you and your family.

How to Find the Best Optometrist and Choose the Best Eye Doctor Near Me in Toronto

Helpful Resources About Optometry and Optometrist in Ontario, Canada

Optometry in Wikipedia
Accreditation Council on Optometric Education
The University of Waterloo School of Optometry and Vision Science
School of Optometry – University of Montreal
Canadian Examiners in Optometry
College of Optometrists of Ontario
Canadian Association of Optometrists
Ontario Association of Optometrists

Often referred to as “rainbow vision,” seeing rainbow halos around lights is a normal response to bright lights. But it can also indicate an eye and vision problem with how light is filtering into the eye and is something to bring to the attention of your Toronto eye doctor.

Light is made up of different colors, but because the rays focus on a single point, you can’t distinguish them. Thus, when you see halos around lights, it may mean that scattering of light is occurring in the cornea or lens of the eye.

What Causes Rainbow Halos Around Lights?

Colorful lights in your line of vision are caused by a variety of different factors.

This symptom is common after sustained bright sunlight exposure, or even from camera flashes. In these cases, the problem is usually temporary and resolves on its own within a few hours or up to two days.

Other causes may include:

Cataracts: Normally, the lens at the front of the eye is clear, allowing light to easily pass through. A cataract clouds the lens, which blurs the vision and affects the way your eyes take in light. Halos and sensitivity to lights at night are common symptoms of cataracts.

Diabetes: Over time, too much sugar in the blood can damage the blood vessels and nerves in your eyes, making you more likely to have night vision problems.

Retinitis pigmentosa: This rare genetic disorder causes a breakdown and loss of cells in the retina. Difficulty seeing at night is one of the earliest symptoms.

Eye Procedures: Eye procedures such as Radial Keratotomy, Penetrating Keratoplasty, or laser procedures such as LASIK may cause night vision problems, including rainbow vision.

Common eye problems: Common eye conditions may be to blame for the rainbow halos you see around lights.

Eye conditions that can cause rainbow vision include:

• Nearsightedness – hard to see things far away
• Farsightedness – hard to see things up close due to the shape of your eye
• Presbyopia – farsightedness due to aging
• Astigmatism – blurry vision due to the irregular shape of the cornea or lens of the eye

Nutritional deficiency: Both vitamin A and zinc deficiency have been linked to problems in night vision. To get your vitamin A, eat lots of carrots and leafy greens. Great sources of zinc include red meat, seafood, poultry, eggs, nuts, and beans.

Video Source: Canadian Association of Optometrists

How Do I Treat Rainbow Vision?

There are some simple steps you can take to protect your eyes. Wear sunglasses during the day, use your vehicle’s visor to keep direct sunlight out of your eyes, and keep the flash off of your camera.

While these steps can help, they are not a cure. It’s important to consult your Toronto optometrist should you experience any of these symptoms.

Along with rainbows and halos disrupting your eyesight, if you experience sudden blurry vision and eye pain, seek medical attention immediately. This symptom could be an indicator of an episode of glaucoma, which can cause blindness if not treated.

With medical marijuana already legal in Canada and with recreational legalization imminently on the horizon, some Canadians are questioning whether cannabis, with its long association as a treatment for various medical conditions, can help their glaucoma, too.

It’s a valid question; after all, the medicinal properties of cannabinoids have made them the treatment of choice for some patients suffering from everything from chronic pain to cancer to neurological diseases, so why not ocular diseases, too?

The key is to take a look at what the evidence shows.

Despite Science, Folklore About Marijuana and Glaucoma Persists

There are, of course, different types of evidence – and anecdotal evidence can be powerful.

When many people state that they or someone they know believes something to be true, it can take on a life of its own and convince others without any hard evidence whatsoever.

Unfortunately, that sort of thinking can lead to serious public health issues, such as parents rejecting vaccinations for their children. Even medical facts for which corroborated studies exist, are a moving target because new and contradictory evidence is constantly being released.

For example, entire generations decided that trans fats were good for you (we now know them to be bad) – and many people still avoid eggs to this day because of their cholesterol, even though studies show that human cholesterol isn’t derived from diet!

Something similar seems to have happened with cannabis.

Back in the 70s, when marijuana was a popular (if still illegal) recreational drug, studies reported lower IOP (intraocular pressure) when marijuana was administered. But even those studies found that the effect was insufficient to manage glaucoma long term.

In fact, marijuana can actually harm people with glaucoma because it lowers blood pressure, which in turn lowers the flow of oxygenated blood to the optic nerve.

As well, because most patients with glaucoma are over 60 years of age, doctors are concerned with their using marijuana because of potential side effects that are more pronounced and/or more dangerous in this age group, such as:

• Falling due to dizziness or that ‘high’ feeling
• Poor motor coordination
• Suppressed immune system
• Elevated heart rate
• Problems with cognition, memory and concentration
• Lung and breathing problems if the cannabis is smoked
• Eye problems such as age-related macular degeneration and cataracts, for which smoking is a leading factor

Another problem with the results of the research about using marijuana to lower intraocular pressure is that the IOP-lowering effects of cannabis only last a few hours. Patients would literally have to consume marijuana every few hours, around the clock, to maintain the desired result. We’ll stay away from that one!

How to Treat Glaucoma More Effectively than with Marijuana

If you are considering marijuana as an alternative to conventional medicine, it’s your decision – but be sure you know the facts, as well.

Glaucoma is a progressive disease that worsens without treatment, and that vision loss is irreversible.

Prescription medication, usually in the form of prescription eye drops that must be administered once or twice daily, is an effective way of lowering intra-ocular pressure 24 hours a day; microsurgery and laser eye surgery treatments are also available and are scientifically proven, in repeated trials, to delay glaucoma progression.

The best way to prevent glaucoma is to get a regular eye exam, but if you already have the disease, and are struggling with your current medication or course of treatment, ask your trusted optometrist first before embarking on a new treatment regimen.

If you’re thinking that you may need bifocals, then read on and find out.

We’ve all seen people holding a brochure or restaurant menu out at arm’s length in order to read the fine print. But if you thought they were people with eye problems that you fortunately don’t experience…wait a while!

Beginning in their late thirties to mid-40s, many if not most adults begin to have problems seeing clearly at close distances, especially when reading print.

This applies equally to people whose vision has remained perfect or near-perfect throughout their lives, and those who already have other vision problems.

It’s a normal, age-related change in the eye’s focusing ability called presbyopia, and whether treated or not, it will continue to progress over time. What’s important is to get corrective lenses so you don’t develop additional problems, like headaches and eyestrain, from attempting to see up close without glasses.

Near Vision Problems are Not Necessarily a Sign of Underlying Issues
If your eyes have always been ‘good’, you may be alarmed and confused at this vision loss, which may seem to have occurred overnight.

However, it is far more likely that the changes were so gradual that you simply didn’t notice until you found yourself holding that menu at arm’s length!

Over time, eyes lose their natural focusing ability, so close work like reading and crafts becomes more difficult, especially in low light conditions. The change occurs because the lens inside the eye becomes less flexible over time, making it more difficult to change focus back and forth between objects that are far away and objects that are nearby.

The older you get, the more advanced the condition can become, until about age 60, when the vision loss should slow to an eventual halt.

Until then, you may need several prescription changes in your glasses to keep on top of the changes.

Treatments for Presbyopia

Presbyopia can’t be avoided or cured, but there are effective treatments available to allow you to see the world with perfect vision, and perform the daily tasks like reading the paper, checking email and doing close work with ease.

Here are the options for people with presbyopia:

• Laser eye surgery: Improvements in laser eye technology can now correct for presbyopia better than ever before, whether there are other refractive errors present or not
• Glasses, whether single vision reading glasses (you can often purchase these without a prescription at the drug store) or multifocal lenses (your optometrist will layer a prescription to correct the presbyopia, on to your existing prescription)
• Contact lenses: Bifocal contacts? Yes, they are a thing! You may just need monovision contact lenses if you only have trouble seeing close up but can still see distances clearly.

When It’s More Than Just Presbyopia

After 40, it’s recommended that you visit your Toronto optometrist at least every two years (more often if required) to maintain optimal eye health and check if any problems are developing.

While presbyopia is a normal part of the aging process for many adults, after 40 is also the age at which other vision problems have a greater chance of developing.

You should visit your optometrist if you suspect you may be developing presbyopia, but it’s even more imperative to seek help if you have noticed other eye problems, such as:

• Inconsistent vision. Vision that fluctuates could indicate an underlying problem, like high blood pressure or diabetes, both of which can damage the blood vessels in the retina.
• Seeing spots and floaters doesn’t harm vision in and of itself, but it’s best to get checked if you are seeing flashes, halos, or if the floaters are interfering with your ability to perform daily tasks.
• Loss of peripheral vision or seeing distorted images. This could indicate glaucoma or macular degeneration.

For good vision at any age, come in for an eye exam today!

Your optometrist is expertly trained

It is very important that a first examination by an optometrist is comprehensive and involves a series of crucial tests which may last up to 60 minutes

During your visit, you can expect your optometrist to do the following, as indicated by your own unique needs and situation:

• Take a comprehensive case history
• Examine your eyes for risk factors and signs of ocular diseases
• Measure various aspects of your vision, such as peripheral vision, eye movements, ability to focus and see colours/depth, and sharpness of vision
• Provide a prescription for vision correction
• Recommend the right kind of glasses or contact lenses
• Recommend prescription or over-the-counter eye drops, eye exercises, diet, supplements, or other forms of therapy
• Refer you to a specialist for certain kinds of medications and/or surgery

Clearly, seeing the optometrist is about so much more than just updating your prescription!

How to take an active role in your visit to the optometrist

Visiting the eye doctor isn’t about sitting passively through an exam; patients who participate actively in the process generally experience better vision care outcomes. If you have a specific complaint such as blurry vision, be up front and clearly communicate your concerns like myopia or macular degeneration.. Even if you are simply coming in to make sure that your eyes are healthy, be prepared to discuss your medical history and any medications you may be taking, as some medications can affect vision.

Along with any existing eyewear, it’s a good idea to bring in the name and telephone number of any previous optometrists or ophthalmologists, so that records may be transferred if necessary. If possible, have a family member or friend accompany you so you can a) remember to ask all your questions b) take note of any treatment protocols, advice or explanations the optometrist has for you during the visit and c) assist you going home when your pupils are dilated.

If you are currently without an optometrist or are being more proactive about your eye care, we welcome you to call us for a comprehensive eye exam and take charge of your eye health today!