Frequently asked questions
Prices will vary depending on the province you live in. Contact your local IRIS store for more detail. Generally, an adult eye examination includes a 1-hour consultation with an optometrist and an optician. During the consultation, an assessment of your vision, eye health and visual field is made, and a digital image of your retina is taken. Experience Better Vision with the creation of your IRIS Profile through our iProfile application. This application allows us to understand your needs by reviewing your history, your daily activities, your personality and your budget. Please note that fees may vary if the optometrist needs to do more tests.
Here are the risk factors for cataracts: Age, medications (steroids over time increase the risk of posterior sub capsular cataracts), UV light exposure (the sun), family history, and diets that are excessively high in sugar and refined carbohydrates. To prevent cataracts or their progression, you can wear high quality sunglasses, with UV 400 and a selective blue filter. This will also improve your vision outdoors and in the car while protecting your eyes from cataracts, macular degeneration, eyelid skin cancer and pterygium. Your diet is also important. Antioxidants, such as vitamins A, C and E, lutein and zeaxanthin show preventive effects for cataracts and other eye diseases. Enjoy foods high in these nutrients daily: spinach, kale, orange peppers, orange vegetables like carrots and yams.
At IRIS, a Doctor of Optometry provides an eye examination. Your examination will take between 30 and 45 minutes. The doctor will ask what your daily visual demands are, review your eye health history, and any diseases such as glaucoma or diabetes that may run in your family. The doctor carries out a series of tests to determine your visual acuity, and the lens powers necessary to correct your vision if required. The doctor will make sure that your eyes are working and functioning together at their highest level of efficiency. During your complete eye health and vision examination, the doctor will be testing your eyes for signs of disease including: glaucoma, macular degeneration, diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer and high cholesterol. Eye exam technologies such as visual field testing and retinal digital imaging are useful tools in detecting eye disease early and can help prevent vision loss. Annual eye health and vision examinations are important.
Task specific lenses by Nikon or Zeiss reduce the stress on your focusing muscles when doing computer work. This is especially important if you spend hours a day on a computer and/or desk work. IRIS has various lifestyle lenses to help your evolving visual needs. A tip for making your eyes more comfortable when doing any extended focus task is to take a break every 20 minutes. Relax your focus for 20 seconds by looking at an object at least 20 feet away.
Yes, at IRIS we dilate the eyes to have a better view of the retina. With diabetic patients we might find bleeding and reduced vision. It is also important to have high resolution digital retinal imaging in order to have a better view of your retina and to better monitor your condition on a yearly basis. Make sure you bring a list of medications and/or a letter from your doctor, that way, we can send your doctor a report every time you visit us.
What is an Optometrist?
Optometrists are healthcare professionals who provide primary vision care including vision testing and correction. They are trained to detect certain eye diseases and evidence of systemic abnormalities. Optometrists refer to other medical specialties for treatment and co-management. In Canada, optometrists hold a Doctorate of Optometry degree and are licensed by the regulatory colleges in the provinces they wish to practice.
What is an Ophthalmologist?
Ophthalmologists perform eye surgeries and treat systemic diseases. They are medical doctors and have completed 4 years of medical school, 4 to 5 years of Ophthalmology residency, and often 1 to 2 years of fellowship in an ophthalmological sub-specialty. Optometrists and Ophthalmologists often work together in the treatment and management of patients with various eye conditions.
What is an Optician?
Opticians are eyecare professionals who have been educated to specialize in dispensing eyewear, contact lenses and related eyecare services. They understand the technical aspects of optics, types of lenses and coatings to maximize the optical quality of your vision. In addition, opticians have the experience and knowledge to help you select frame styles to match your face shape. Some Opticians are also contact lens fitters that can measure eye shape, evaluate the contact lens fit and assess the comfort and vision of the lenses. All IRIS Opticians are licensed by the regulatory colleges in the province they wish to practice.
Wearing glasses should be based on achieving the best possible vision while considering the characteristics and condition of your current lenses and frame. Changes to your vision can occur gradually and what you perceive as good vision may not be. Technology of glasses/lenses evolves quickly and there may be new products available to improve your vision:
- Spend extended time on a computer? There are lens designs that reduce fatigue of the eyes.
- Wear progressive lenses? New designs can enhance your vision by reducing distortion.
- Thinner, lighter weight lenses can increase comfort.
- New coatings repel dirt and oil, keeping the lens clearer, longer.
An IRIS doctor of Optometry and their team will work with you to determine if your current lenses are functioning fully and provide you with options so you can experience better vision.
A child's first eye health and vision exam should be at 6 months of age and then on an annual basis thereafter. The first 6 years of life are the most crucial to long-term eye health and vision. Many eye conditions that are diagnosed before age 6 can be easily treated and depending on the condition, prevent permanent vision loss.
If your eyes are dry, there are many treatments we can recommend. The first and best long-term treatment is the daily intake of 1-3 grams of triglyceride, a form of omega 3. My recommended product of choice is Dry Eye Omega Benefit from the company PRN. This product is available to order at all IRIS stores. The second recommended treatment is the daily use of good lubricant drops like Blink Gel, or Systane Balance at least 4 times a day. Also, sometimes a steroid drop or Restasis needs to be prescribed. If you have been struggling for a while and your doctor does not seem to be able to resolve your problems, we suggest you book an eye health and vision examination with an IRIS Optometrist.
The IRIS Ophthalmology Clinic in Laval offers different surgical techniques to correct your vision according to your prescription, your age, your ocular health, as well as your needs and daily activities. The cost of the surgery depends on the type of procedure recommended by our vision professionals.
IRIS Ophthalmology Clinic offers laser vision correction using the Ultralasik technique for $1,895 per eye. Payment options are available through Flexiti financing, with no fees or interest for 12 months or with interest for up to 60 months.
The IRIS Ophthalmology Clinic also offers Phacorefractive surgery, which consists of replacing the crystalline lens with an intraocular lens, whether for cataract surgery or clear lens surgery, without cataracts.
Depending on the type of lens needed, prices vary from $2,280 per eye for a monofocal lens providing clear vision at one distance, usually at a distance, to $4,880 per eye for a multifocal lens allowing autonomy without glasses at both distance and near.
Toric lenses are sometimes required for high astigmatism. Toric lenses cost an additional $600 per eye. Financing options also apply for Phacorefractive surgery.
All prices are subject to change without notice.
Make an appointment with an IRIS optometrist to find out if you are a good candidate for vision surgery. Your IRIS professionals are committed to advising you and answering your questions about vision surgery.
For more information about the IRIS Eye Clinic or to learn more about the type of surgery that may be right for you, visit coi.iris.ca
IRIS recommends annual eye exams to ensure eye health and great vision. Changes to your eyes and vision can occur throughout your life for a variety of reasons. During regular eye examinations the Optometrist can monitor these changes and provide you with a treatment plan that will keep your eyes healthy and operating at their optimum level.