As a parent, you want your children to be happy and healthy. And while Albertans benefit from universal healthcare, you’re likely aware that this doesn’t cover every health-related service.
However, the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) does offer eye exam coverage for children. That’s right! Eligible children in Alberta can receive a free eye exam every year, which means they can be screened for conditions like myopia.
The following is general information about optometry coverage in Alberta. While we’ve done our best to provide you with information that’s accurate at the time of publication, note that the details can change at any time. We suggest reviewing the latest insurance information on the Government of Alberta website before your next eye care appointment.
Optometry Coverage in Alberta
To understand optometry coverage in Alberta, first confirm that your child is eligible for coverage under the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP). Importantly, children of parents who are not eligible for AHCIP may sometimes be eligible themselves.
Eye Care Services Covered for Children
Optometry is a partially covered service in Alberta, and the benefit year is July 1 to June 30.
Children ages 18 and under can receive AHCIP coverage for:
- 1 eye exam per benefit year in Alberta; and
- 1 diagnostic procedure per benefit year in Alberta
Benefit limits per benefit year apply, and these eye care services must be received in Alberta.
Older adults aged 65 and older also receive this coverage. Meanwhile, all Albertans receive coverage for “medically necessary” eye care procedures.
Note that optometrists can charge additional costs above the AHCIP benefit limit for insured services if they deem it necessary, and that you will be responsible for covering these extra costs. Your optometrist is required to discuss service fees before the service takes place, so make sure to discuss any questions or concerns before your appointment.
Why Regular Eye Exams Are Important
Everyone, including children and people with healthy eyesight, should receive regular comprehensive eye exams.
Eye exams are important because many eye conditions aren’t noticeable until they progress to a stage that’s more complex and difficult to treat. Eye exams can also detect systemic health conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, brain injuries, and even certain cancers.
Eye exams go beyond updating an individual’s eyewear prescription. The Canadian Association of Optometrists (CAO) notes that sight tests performed in schools are not adequate replacements for eye exams.
How Often Should Your Child Get Eye Exams?
This is a great question! For most school-aged children, an eye exam every year is recommended, which AHCIP offers coverage for.
The CAO also offers general guidelines for eye exam frequency based on age group:
- Babies: A first eye exam is recommended between the ages of 6 and 9 months
- Young children: At least 1 eye exam between the ages of 2 and 5
- Children and youth: Young people ages 19 and under should get a yearly eye exam
- Adults: Individuals aged 20 to 64 should get an eye exam every 2 years
- Older adults: Individuals ages 65 and up should get an eye exam every year, which AHCIP offers coverage for
Your optometrist may advise more frequent eye exams than these guidelines if needed. For example, adults with diabetes should get an eye exam every year.
What Happens During an Eye Exam
A typical comprehensive eye exam includes the following components:
- Understanding your health and needs: Your optometrist may ask about your personal health history, your family’s health history, and your visual needs at work, home, and beyond. You may also discuss current vision concerns and symptoms.
- Measuring how well you see: Your optometrist will test your visual acuity at various distances. Each eye will be tested together and apart, using corrective lenses or without them.
- Determining your prescription power: If you have a refractive error (such as nearsightedness or farsightedness), your optometrist will assess your required prescription power.
- Assessing binocular vision: Your binocular vision is your ability to see with both eyes. Your optometrist may test your eye alignment, depth perception, focus, and how your eyes coordinate and move together. Your hand-eye coordination may also be tested.
- Neurological and eye health assessments: This includes testing your peripheral vision and your pupil’s reactions. Your optometrist will also examine the internal and external structures of your eyes and screen for conditions such as dry eye, blepharitis, glaucoma, cataracts, and macular degeneration.
- Additional testing, if required: Based on findings during the initial exam, your optometrist may conduct further testing.
Eye Exams for All Ages in Edmonton
Did you know that 25% of school-aged children have vision issues? Children sometimes assume that their eyesight is normal, or they may not yet have the skills to communicate their symptoms.
Vision issues can have a significant impact on a child’s performance in school, sports, and everyday life. That’s why eye exams are so important. These annual check-ups can identify issues like myopia (nearsightedness) early, so that we can intervene as soon as possible.
Total Focus Optometry offers eye care services for the whole family, from your children to their grandparents. We’ve been caring for people’s eyes for 70 years, and we’ve embraced new technologies that allow us to offer more services and serve you better than before.
Are you or your child due for an eye exam? Book one today! And before you visit us, go through our checklist to prepare for a smooth appointment.
