Our Health-Focused
Eye Exams
Our goal at Thompson Rivers Family Optometry is to make your eye care as simple, convenient, and comfortable as possible. Our team is experienced in assisting individuals with varying accessibility needs, including mobility issues, sensory sensitivities, and more.
We’re here to make your experience a positive one. Whether it’s a routine eye exam or comprehensive care for an eye condition, our compassionate team is here to assist. Our eye exams include a thorough eye health examination, screening for common conditions, and a vision test to update your glasses or contact lens prescription.
Booking an appointment is easy. You may fill out our online request form or call us directly at 250-376-1985. We look forward to welcoming you.
How Often Do I Need an
Eye Exam?
According to the Canadian Association of Optometrists, adults should have an eye exam at least:
- Once every 2 years, between the ages of 20 and 64.
- Once every year, from age 65 and older
- Once every year, for anyone living with diabetes
Depending on your eyes and your overall health, we may recommend more frequent eye exams to protect your vision.
Children have their own recommended exam schedule.
Prepare for Your Eye Exam
You can request an appointment online or call us at 250-376-1985 to book your eye exam.
Before your eye exam, please remove your contact lenses and bring them with you to your exam. By taking your contacts out prior to your appointment, we can more accurately check your eye pressure during the exam.
You should also bring your insurance information, any current prescription glasses or contact lenses you use, and a list of current medications.
Your eye exam begins by checking in with reception. If you’re new to the practice, you’ll have some health information forms to complete. You can pre-fill the patient intake form and family consent form and send them in before your appointment, or complete them at the clinic during check-in.
If you need to fill out the forms at the clinic, please arrive 10–15 minutes before your appointment time to allow yourself time to complete them.
For returning patients, you’ll be asked to confirm your personal information and whether you’ve seen a specialist for any eye concerns recently.
Shortly after you check in, we’ll bring you in for pre-testing. This part of the appointment includes taking pictures of your eyes, checking eye pressure, and other quick diagnostic tests to examine the health of your eyes. Your pre-tester will ask questions about your eyes and vision during this stage.
Many eye conditions can begin without noticeable symptoms, so these tests help us check for any subtle signs of a problem before it affects your vision.
Your pre-testing phase will begin by measuring the prescription of your current glasses. Then, we’ll check your eyes with an auto-refractor and keratometer to quickly measure how well your eyes can see at a distance. You’ll rest your forehead and chin on the machine and look into the camera.
Then, we’ll take a picture of the inside of your eye using the Optomap. This device doesn’t touch your eye, but produces a bright flash when the picture is taken.
We’ll also test the eye pressure of everyone 15 years and older. This test uses short puff of air to measure your intraocular pressure (IOP). Patients over the age of 40, those living with diabetes, and anyone with pre-existing eye conditions will also get an OCT test, which gives your Optometrist a detailed view of the layers of the eye.
Each machine used during pre-testing is charged to BC Medical to reduce the cost of your eye care. See more information about the technology below.
After pre-testing, you’ll meet with your Optometrist. He’ll review the results of your diagnostic tests with you and discuss your answers to the pre-tester’s questions.
Then, your Optometrist will check your prescription. Using the auto-refractor results as a guide, he will use the large, glasses-like device to check which lenses provide the clearest vision. This part of the exam is a team effort, so be sure to ask questions or to see the options again if you’re unsure.
If you’ve seen a specialist, your Optometrist can also go through any information from the specialist during this portion of the exam to make sure you understand everything discussed.
If you are in need of new or updated eyewear, including glasses, sunglasses, or contact lenses, we can complete your fitting as part of the exam.
your Optometrist will sit you down with one of our opticians and discuss your optical needs. Then, our opticians will work with you to find the perfect frames and lenses for your specific vision needs, lifestyle, and preferences.
For contact lenses, your Optometrist will connect you with a member of our team who can order your new contacts or set up a contact lens training if you’re a first-time wearer.
If you’d prefer not to look at glasses on the same day as your exam, you’ll receive a copy of your updated prescription and are welcome to come back into the office at any time to try on frames and discuss your options with our team—no appointment necessary.
We try to bill your insurance in advance to provide you with a rough estimate of the cost of your eye exam. If you have any questions before or after the exam about your coverage, please ask our front desk team. They’re happy to assist you.
You can review our accepted insurance providers and payment methods online before your exam as well.
Pre-Testing Technology Used in Your Exam
We work alongside technology during your eye exams to complete an in-depth examination of your eyes. We use various diagnostic tools to check your eye health during your eye exam. The purpose of these tools is to examine your eyes for any signs of eye disease or systemic health conditions that could impact your vision.
The tests included in your exam are chosen based on different factors, such as how long it’s been since your last eye exam, if you have a family history of eye disease or another condition that increases your risk, and whether you wear contact lenses regularly. The team is happy to explain the steps of each test and make sure you’re comfortable throughout.
Click on each device to learn more.
Find the Help
You Deserve Today
Your eyes deserve comprehensive care and attention. We’re here to make your eye care experience simple, compassionate, and as stress-free as possible.
We want you to feel comfortable, cared for, and heard during your appointment. If you require specific accommodations or have any questions before your eye exam, please reach out to our team. We’re here to assist you.
Book your appointment with our team today.
Finding
Our Clinic
We’re located in the Northills Shopping Centre off Tranquille Road. Find our office between the CIBC and the Interior Health clinic on the north side of the mall. For your convenience, our entrance is directly accessible from the parking lot—no mall entry required.
Visit
Our Location
Our eye clinic is conveniently located at the Northills Shopping Centre.
Where to Park?
The mall offers spacious parking and accessible parking spaces.
Hours of Operation
*Closed between 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM every day for lunch
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Land
Acknowledgement
Thompson Rivers Family Optometry gratefully acknowledges the unceded and traditional lands of the Indigenous Peoples across Turtle Island, and more specifically, the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc territory, within the ancestral lands of the Secwepemcúĺecw on which we live, work, and play. We know that without continued learning and action, acknowledgement is meaningless. We’re committed to continued growth and education so that we can better respect, learn from, and advocate for all Indigenous Peoples.
About Us
Services
Specialty Eye Exams
Patient Education Hub
Coming Soon!
Thompson Rivers Family Optometry
- 250-376-1985
- 250-376-1309
- office@trfo.ca