Ages 0-18

Available coverage

• Alberta Health partial coverage is available towards one eye exam per year, renewing every July 1.*
• Additional exams and/or treatments may be partially covered based on medical needs.
• Ask your optometrist for information about coverage and potential costs for specific issues.
• Alberta Health partially covers urgent care and medically necessary services, which are listed below.*

Recommended eye care

• Babies should have their first exam between 6-9 months
• Toddlers and preschoolers should have at least one eye exam between the ages of 2 and 5
• Kindergarteners should have an eye exam when they begin kindergarten
• School children should have an annual eye exam

Ages 19-64

Available coverage

• Alberta Health does not cover eye exams for adults, however many Albertans have insurance coverage through their employer or their own medical plan.
• Inquire at the optometrist’s clinic about the cost of the eye exam, and direct billing to your insurance company.
• Alberta Health partially covers urgent care and medically necessary services, which are listed below.*

Recommended eye care

• Adults should have an eye exam at least every two years, or as recommended by their optometrist.

Ages 65+

Available coverage

• Alberta Health partial coverage is available towards eye exams for seniors 65+, renewing every July 1.*
• Limited coverage for optical (eyeglasses) assistance (eyeglasses) is available through Alberta Health
• Additional exams and/or treatments may be covered based on medical needs, such as glaucoma, diabetes or cataract follow-up or monitoring.
• Ask your optometrist for information about coverage and potential costs for specific issues.
• Alberta Health partially covers urgent care and medically necessary services, which are listed below.*

Recommended eye care

• Seniors should have an annual eye exam.

Urgent Eye Care, Eye Infections and Medically Necessary Treatment

• Doctors of optometry have the proper knowledge, tools, and equipment necessary to diagnose, treat, or refer to a specialist, if needed.
• You do not need a referral.
• Clinics generally reserve a few appointments per day for urgent or emergency appointments.
• These types of appointments are partially covered by Alberta Health Care*.
• If you are unsure whether your specific issue would be covered, ask your optometrist before the appointment.

Urgent or emergency concerns (seek care immediately)

• Chemical burns (pain, redness, or other symptoms)
• Eye injury
• Eyelid infection/inflammation
• Eye pain with redness or other symptoms
• Eye strain with other symptoms
• Facial shingles
• Flashing lights
• Floaters (spots in your vision)
• Foreign objects in eye
• Headaches with other symptoms
• Red eye(s)
• Styes
• Sudden blurry vision
• Sudden changes to vision
• Sudden droopy eye lid
• Sudden loss of vision
• Other concerns