In today’s world, the internet allows you to do almost anything from the comfort of your home, whether it’s shopping or earning a degree. You can even receive an online eye exam — but how accurate are these vision tests and what risks do they pose to your eye and overall health?
Having clear vision doesn’t always mean that your eyes are healthy and some of the most common (and serious) eye conditions are asymptomatic in their early stages. That’s why optometrists often recommend having routine eye exams to protect your eyesight.
Yearly eye exams, especially for seniors, can have many benefits, including:
At our Calgary eye clinic, our highly trained optometrists can provide comprehensive eye exams for your whole family, from seniors to children. We also offer a range of other ocular health services, including glaucoma testing, cataract assessment and management, contact lens fittings, and more.
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Over the last couple of decades, the internet has changed almost every aspect of our lives. From the way we shop, to the way we gain information and connect with family and friends, the Information Age is a very different world.
While it’s certainly true that the internet has made things so much more convenient, sometimes this comes at the cost of quality and safety, which is the case for online eye exams.
Several online services have begun to offer the opportunity for people to take an eye exam from the comfort of their own home. Using a series of letters, shapes, and lines, they claim to provide an assessment of your vision in as little as 30 minutes.
Although online eye exams may seem very convenient, they only measure visual acuity and refractive error. While some may test for other problems, such as colour blindness or light sensitivity, none have the ability to focus on the health of your eyes.
Only a comprehensive eye exam with your optometrist can help identify symptoms of serious and vision-threatening conditions, such as:
Conducting a vision test alone, without the aid of a qualified and trained optometrist, can pose certain risks, including:
If you do have vision problems, such as cataracts, glaucoma, or AMD, they will remain undiagnosed during an online eye exam. In addition to this, your optometrist can spot symptoms in your eyes that point to other general health conditions, including:
An online software will not be able to assess the health of your eye, or identify any symptoms that could be pointing towards serious illness.
Even though some online services have the results of their test verified by an eye doctor, without a professional optometrist present during the eye exam, it’s impossible to ensure that the test was carried out correctly.
Inaccurate testing and results can lead to you receiving an incorrect prescription, which can have many problems including:
WHY YOU SHOULD NEVER BUY EYEGLASSES ONLINE
At Blink Eyewear, our team of optometrists value your time and understand that the convenience of online eye exams can seem tempting — but we also want to take care of your health! Unlike an online software, our optometrists can ensure that not only are you seeing correctly, but that you’re on the path to optimal eye and whole body health as well.
If you want to know more about our comprehensive eye exams, or other vision services, including glaucoma testing, cataract management, and dry eye care, contact our team at our Crowfoot (403-547-5417), West Springs (403-242-0999) or Creekside (403-516-2292) branches.
Blink Eyewear boasts the largest collection of eyewear in Calgary, but our 4 locations are also home to the region’s finest optometrists. Just as you will not find a better store to shop for your eyewear, you will not find a better vision clinic to do your eye exam or treat your eye condition.
Go ahead and Blink; what you see is really what you get. Call one of our store numbers or fill out the form below to book an appointment.