Ophthalmic Testing Information

Eye Institute of Alberta

Tests Performed in the Ophthalmic Diagnostics Clinic

Tests Performed in the Ophthalmic Imaging Clinic

Tests Performed in the Orthoptic Clinic

Tests Perfomed in the Ophthalmic Ultrasound Clinic

Tests Performed in the Glaucoma Clinic (Visual Function Clinic)

Tests Performed in the Teleophthalmology Clinic


Cataract Surgery Measurements

This may include one or more the following tests: A-Scan Ultrasound, Corneal Topography, IOL Master Testing, Specular Microscopy. The test duration is dependent on the tests ordered. Your eyes will not be dilated.

Do not wear your contact lenses to the appointment.

Note: Your visit length may vary considerably depending on the reason of your visit. If other tests have been ordered on the day of the visit, there may be periods of waiting between appointments.

Corneal Topography (Pentacam)

This takes about 15-20 mins. Your eyes will not be dilated.

Do not wear your contact lenses to the appointment.

Note: Your visit length may vary considerably depending on the reason of your visit. If other tests have been ordered on the day of the visit, there may be periods of waiting between appointments.

IOL Master Testing

This takes about 15-20 mins. Your eyes will not be dilated.

Do not wear your contact lenses to the appointment.

Note: Your visit length may vary considerably depending on the reason of your visit. If other tests have been ordered on the day of the visit, there may be periods of waiting between appointments.

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Specular Microscopy

This takes about 10-30 mins. Your eyes will not be dilated.

Do not wear your contact lenses to the appointment.

Note: Your visit length may vary considerably depending on the reason of your visit. If other tests have been ordered on the day of the visit, there may be periods of waiting between appointments.

Fluorescein Angiogram (FA)

This takes about 45 mins. Your eyes will be dilated.

Dilation of the pupils can cause your near vision to be blurry. You will also be more sensitive to light. Bring sunglasses for your comfort.

Note: Your visit length may vary considerably depending on the reason of your visit. If other tests have been ordered on the day of the visit, there may be periods of waiting between appointments.

Heidelberg Retinal Tomography (HRT)

This takes about 5-10 mins. Your eyes may be dilated, depending on your pupil size.

Bring your current glasses. If you are dilated, dilation of the pupils can cause your near vision to be blurry. You will also be more sensitive to light. Bring sunglasses for your comfort.

Note: Your visit length may vary considerably depending on the reason of your visit. If other tests have been ordered on the day of the visit, there may be periods of waiting between appointments.

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Indocyanine Green Angiogram (ICGA)

This takes about 45 mins. Your eyes will be dilated.

Dilation of the pupils can cause your near vision to be blurry. You will also be more sensitive to light. Bring sunglasses for your comfort.

Note: Your visit length may vary considerably depending on the reason of your visit. If other tests have been ordered on the day of the visit, there may be periods of waiting between appointments.

Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT)

This takes about 5-15 mins. Your eyes will not be dilated.

Do not wear your contact lenses to the appointment.

Note: Your visit length may vary considerably depending on the reason of your visit. If other tests have been ordered on the day of the visit, there may be periods of waiting between appointments.

Retinal Photography

This takes about 10-30 mins. Your eyes will be dilated.

Dilation of the pupils can cause your near vision to be blurry. You will also be more sensitive to light. Bring sunglasses for your comfort.

Note: Your visit length may vary considerably depending on the reason of your visit. If other tests have been ordered on the day of the visit, there may be periods of waiting between appointments.

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Slit Lamp Photography (Pictures of the Front of the Eye)

This takes about 5-20 mins. Your eyes will not be dilated.

Do not wear your contact lenses to the appointment.

Note: Your visit length may vary considerably depending on the reason of your visit. If other tests have been ordered on the day of the visit, there may be periods of waiting between appointments.

Fresnel Prism Fitting

This takes about 10-15 mins. Your eyes will not be dilated.

Bring your most current prescription glasses. If you do not typically wear glasses, bring a pair of non-prescription glasses (plano lenses) in order to have your Fresnel prism fitting.

Note: Your visit length may vary considerably depending on the reason of your visit. If other tests have been ordered on the day of the visit, there may be periods of waiting between appointments.

Orthoptic Assessment

This takes about 20-40 mins. Your eyes will not be dilated.

Bring your most current prescription glasses. You may wear your contact lenses unless you are here for Fresnel prism fitting.

Note: Your visit length may vary considerably depending on the reason of your visit. If other tests have been ordered on the day of the visit, there may be periods of waiting between appointments.

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A-Scan Ultrasound

This takes about 15-20 mins. Your eyes will not be dilated.

Do not wear any eye makeup or contact lenses to the appointment.

Note: Your visit length may vary considerably depending on the reason of your visit. If other tests have been ordered on the day of the visit, there may be periods of waiting between appointments.

B-Scan Ultrasound

This takes about 15-20 mins. Your eyes will not be dilated.

Do not wear any eye makeup or contact lenses to the appointment.

Note: Your visit length may vary considerably depending on the reason of your visit. If other tests have been ordered on the day of the visit, there may be periods of waiting between appointments.

Ultrasound Biomicroscopy (UBM)

This takes about 10-45 mins. Your eyes will not be dilated.

Do not wear any eye makeup or contact lenses to the appointment.

Note: Your visit length may vary considerably depending on the reason of your visit. If other tests have been ordered on the day of the visit, there may be periods of waiting between appointments.

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D-15 Color Vision Test

This takes about 10 mins. Your eyes will not be dilated.

Wear your current glasses or contact lenses to the appointment.

Note: Your visit length may vary considerably depending on the reason of your visit. If other tests have been ordered on the day of the visit, there may be periods of waiting between appointments.

Dark Adaptation

This takes about 90 mins. Your eyes will be dilated.

Do not wear any eye makeup or contact lenses. Dilation of the pupils can cause your near vision to be blurry. You will also be more sensitive to light. Bring sunglasses for your comfort.

Note: Your visit length may vary considerably depending on the reason of your visit. If other tests have been ordered on the day of the visit, there may be periods of waiting between appointments.

Diurnal Tension Curve (DTC)

This takes about 4 hours. Your eyes will not be dilated.

Bring your current glasses and do not wear your contact lenses to the appointment. As your test is four hours in length, we encourage you to bring a book or other forms of entertainment.

Note: Your visit length may vary considerably depending on the reason of your visit. If other tests have been ordered on the day of the visit, there may be periods of waiting between appointments.

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Intraocular Pressure (IOP) Check

This takes about 10 mins. Your eyes will not be dilated.

Do not wear your contact lenses to the appointment.

Note: Your visit length may vary considerably depending on the reason of your visit. If other tests have been ordered on the day of the visit, there may be periods of waiting between appointments.

Electro-oculogram (EOG)

This takes about 90 mins. Your eyes will be dilated.

Do not wear any eye makeup or contact lenses. Dilation of the pupils can cause your near vision to be blurry. You will also be more sensitive to light. Bring sunglasses for your comfort.

Note: Your visit length may vary considerably depending on the reason of your visit. If other tests have been ordered on the day of the visit, there may be periods of waiting between appointments.

Full Field Electroretinogram (ffERG)

This takes about 90 mins. Your eyes will be dilated.

Do not wear any eye makeup or contact lenses. Dilation of the pupils can cause your near vision to be blurry. You will also be more sensitive to light. Bring sunglasses for your comfort.

Note: Your visit length may vary considerably depending on the reason of your visit. If other tests have been ordered on the day of the visit, there may be periods of waiting between appointments.

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Humphrey Visual Field (HVF)

This takes about 20-30 mins. Your eyes will not be dilated.

Wear your current glasses or contact lenses to the appointment.

Note: Your visit length may vary considerably depending on the reason of your visit. If other tests have been ordered on the day of the visit, there may be periods of waiting between appointments.

Multifocal Electroretinogram (mfERG)

This takes about 60-90 mins. Your eyes will be dilated.

Do not wear any eye makeup or contact lenses. Dilation of the pupils can cause your near vision to be blurry. You will also be more sensitive to light. Bring sunglasses for your comfort.

Note: Your visit length may vary considerably depending on the reason of your visit. If other tests have been ordered on the day of the visit, there may be periods of waiting between appointments.

Octopus Visual Field (OVF)

This takes about 60-90 mins. Your eyes will not be dilated.

Wear your current glasses or contact lenses to the appointment.

Note: Your visit length may vary considerably depending on the reason of your visit. If other tests have been ordered on the day of the visit, there may be periods of waiting between appointments.

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Reteval Full Field Electroretinogram (ffERG)

This takes about 45-60 mins. Dilation is dependent on cooperation.

This is usually reserved for children that requires a ffERG. Bring non-electronic toys that will help distract your child during testing. Simple snacks and drinks are fine as well.

Note: Your visit length may vary considerably depending on the reason of your visit. If other tests have been ordered on the day of the visit, there may be periods of waiting between appointments.

Visual Evoked Potential (VEP)

This takes about 90 mins. Your eyes will not be dilated.

Wear your current glasses or contact lenses to the appointment. Your hair must be dry and clean for the test.

Note: Your visit length may vary considerably depending on the reason of your visit. If other tests have been ordered on the day of the visit, there may be periods of waiting between appointments.

Diabetic Wellness

This takes about 60-90 mins. Your eyes will be dilated.

Bring your current glasses, list of medications and sunglasses. Dilation of the pupils can cause your near vision to be blurry. You will also be more sensitive to light.

You will not be seeing a doctor at your visit. Results will be interpreted and your referring physician will be able to review the results on Netcare.

Note: Your visit length may vary considerably depending on the reason of your visit. If other tests have been ordered on the day of the visit, there may be periods of waiting between appointments.

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Ocular Oncology

This takes about 90-120 mins. Your eyes will be dilated unless the freckle/mole is located on the colored part of your eye (iris).

Do not wear any eye makeup or contact lenses. Bring your current glasses, list of medications and sunglasses. Dilation of the pupils can cause your near vision to be blurry. You will also be more sensitive to light.

You will not be seeing a doctor at your visit. Results will be interpreted and you will receive a phone call with your results.