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September 1, 2023 OHIP Updates For Eye Examinations

Starting September 1, 2023, there are some changes to how OHIP covers eye exams in Ontario.

These adjustments are the result of thoughtful discussions between the Ontario Ministry of Health and the Ontario Association of Optometrists and are based on sound clinical evidence and expert advice. The shared goal is to ensure all Ontarians have access to the best, up-to-date eye care available and that patients at greatest risk of vision loss are publicly funded by OHIP.

To discover more about how these changes might impact you or your family members, select one of the tabs below. They provide more detailed information about OHIP’s coverage for eye exams across different age groups.

On March 24, 2023, the Ontario Government issued a media release about these changes, which you can read here.

Bifocal Lenses

Sometimes our vision fails us at two or even three distinct distances, especially as we age. Bifocal lenses—lenses with two distinct viewing areas—have traditionally been a reliable solution to such a dilemma. (A lens with three distinct viewing areas is called a trifocal.)

By distinct, we mean there are noticeable lines separating the two different fields of vision within a bifocal lens surface. A slight adjustment to the angle of the head allows wearers to choose which lens area to look through based on the distance of the object they’re trying to see.

A farsighted person who also has trouble reading may be prescribed a pair of bifocal reading glasses, for example. The upper section of the lens would correct difficulties seeing objects at distance, and the lower section would assist in reading. (Bifocal glasses date back to the days of Benjamin Franklin!)

While wearers quickly adjust to the line separating the multiple vision fields, it is a noticeable distraction within the lens itself. This line can be eliminated using a newer lens technology called progressive lenses.

Progressive lenses incorporate two, three, or more fields of vision within a single lens without noticeable lens lines. Bifocal, trifocal and progressive lenses are all considered “multi-focal” lenses—lenses that provide correction to multiple vision problems.