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Affordable Health Insurance

Vision Care

Vision Care Most provincial governments fully cover one eye examination every 24 months.

For some people this may be sufficient, for others it may be a worry. Those without supplemental vision insurance who wear glasses, or who have children with glasses are often responsible for paying the full price of the prescription and frames.

Depending on the frames selected, filling in the lens prescription and buying a pair of glasses can cost anywhere from $200 and up if you do not have vision insurance.

Also, if you need an additional eye examination within the 24 months allotted by Medicare, you are usually required to pay an average fee of about $50 per exam.

As with any other type of health care, preventative treatment is important in maintaining healthy vision.

According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, many sight-threatening diseases, if detected early, can be cured or treated to prevent, or slow, the progression of any vision loss.

Children:

All children should receive their first comprehensive eye examination before the age of four.

Ages 20 to 40:

People between these ages should have an eye exam every 5 years. Visits should be more frequent if there are changes in vision, pain, flashes of light, or injury.

Ages 40 to 64:

It is recommended that individuals between these ages have an eye exam every 2 to 4 years.

Ages 65+:

Those 65 years or older should have regular eye exams every 1 to 2 years.

Special Cases:

Individuals with diabetes are at risk for several eye disorders, including diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and cataracts, and should have eye examinations every year.

Supplemental vision insurance will help pay for the cost of unexpected eye care that isn’t covered by your provincial government. Vision insurance will help remove the added worry of sudden eye problems, and alleviate the stress caused by those unsightly eye-doctor bills.