Five things to know about eye exams
June 17, 2026 | 3 min read
Most adults spend their days shifting between screens, commutes, and constant visual demands, yet eye exams are often treated as a task to check off, usually when reading becomes difficult or a prescription changes.
This approach overlooks much of their value. “People think that eye care is just measuring your need for glasses,” says Dr. Alan Ulsifer, CEO and Founder of FYidoctors, a Manulife eye care partner. “But there is so much more that goes into eye care that can impact your overall health.”
Drawing on insights from Dr. David Redman, an optometrist and Chief Strategy Officer and VP at FYidoctors, routine eye exams emerge as one of the quiet workhorses of preventive health care: unglamorous, easily postponed, and deeply revealing.
Eye exams are a preventive habit hiding in plain sight. Here are five things worth knowing.
1. An eye exam looks into your health, not just your vision
The back of the eye is one of the few places in the body where a health‑care provider can directly observe blood vessels, nerves, and tissue without surgery1. That access makes the eye a surprisingly informative window into overall health.
“Routine exams test your vision, but they also assess the overall health of your eyes, and the rest of your body, too,” says Dr. Redman.
Dr. Ulsifer explains: “You can look through someone’s pupil and actually see blood vessels and neural tissue, which can diagnose a lot of diseases based on vascular issues.”
Eye exams can reveal early signs of more than 270 health conditions, including diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, and some neurological disorders2. In some cases, changes in the eyes appear before symptoms show up elsewhere in the body3.
2. The absence of symptoms is not the absence of risk
According to Dr. Redman, one of the most common reasons people delay eye exams is simple: nothing feels wrong.
But many eye conditions develop gradually and – initially – silently. Glaucoma, retinal disease, and diabetic eye complications often progress without obvious early warning signs4. In one study5, 58 percent of asymptomatic patients had at least one significant finding during a routine eye exam.
According to the CNIB, as much as 75 percent of vision loss experienced by Canadians is considered preventable with early detection and appropriate care6. Regular exams can help identify issues earlier, when follow-up or management may be most effective.
3. Screens don’t ruin your eyes — but overuse can cause strain
Screens are a fact of modern life; however, long periods of focus can increase visual demands and can make existing issues more noticeable7.
People who spend significant time on screens often experience eye strain, headaches, blurred vision, or dryness8. Over 7 million Canadians are affected by dry eye, and symptoms often worsen with prolonged screen use9.
“Normally, if you’re out walking around, or looking down to read a book, you’ll blink about 60 times a minute – about once every second. But when we’re staring straight ahead at a screen, we blink 10 times less. This tends to make our eyes dry out – something that becomes more acute as we get older, as our bodies produce fewer oils,” says Dr. Redman.
Eye exams can help determine whether discomfort is related to dry eye, focusing problems, prescription changes, or other underlying factors10.
4. Clear vision quietly supports how we function every day
Vision affects more than reading. It influences concentration, safety, independence, and confidence — whether at work, at home, or on the road.
According to Dr. Redman, even minor, uncorrected vision issues can reduce productivity by up to 18 per cent and contribute to headaches and fatigue11. Routine eye exams ensure vision correction keeps pace with the demands of daily life.
5. Your eye doctor is part of your broader health care team
An eye exam doesn’t take place in isolation, and neither does eye health.
When eye doctors ask about your medical history, medications, or recent health changes, it’s important to keep them updated. Conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, autoimmune disease, and thyroid disorders can all affect the eyes12. “In North America, the number one cause of vision loss – from blindness to less-acute deterioration of sight – is diabetes. High blood sugar can damage blood vessels in the retina, which blurs vision,” explains Dr. Redman.
Sharing recent health information helps your eye doctor put what they see into context. It allows them to distinguish between normal variation and signs that may warrant closer monitoring or follow‑up care.
Prevention at work
Good vision is closely linked to overall health and quality of life. Regular eye exams can help protect your eyesight, catch changes early, and support long-term well-being.
Many Manulife group benefits plans include vision coverage, helping make preventive eye care more accessible. Coverage may include eye exams, prescription glasses or contact lenses, and other vision-related expenses. Using benefits proactively is a great way to support long-term health.
If you have vision coverage with Manulife, the Manulife app and plan member site let you review coverage details, balances, and limits, as well as information on discounts from Manulife’s vision care partners.
This article is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose or treat a condition. If you have questions or concerns about your specific situation or are seeking medical advice, contact your medical doctor or your healthcare provider.
About FYihealth
FYihealth group is Canada’s largest optometric network with over 370 optometry clinics and retail stores across the country. Doctor-led, professionally managed, and patient-focused, our organization concentrates on delivering outstanding eye care with patient-centric products and services. Recognized as one of Canada's Best Managed Companies for five consecutive years, featured on the Globe and Mail’s Report on Business ranking of Canada’s Top Growing Companies for two consecutive years, as well as a certified Great Place to Work® in Canada and the USA. Our glasses are Made in Canada! We own and operate the largest Canadian lens manufacturing facility in Delta, British Columbia. FYihealth group is helping shape the future of Canadian eye care.