Illustrative stock photograph; not a CEI patient, treatment result or clinic equipment.

Saskatchewan is a big province. For many people, an eye appointment means a long drive, a day off work and finding someone to take them home after their eyes are dilated. In summer, that drive might also cut into time at the lake or a busy season on the farm.

Teleophthalmology, or virtual eye care, can make some of those trips unnecessary. Not every eye visit can happen remotely, but many follow-ups can. Here’s a practical guide to what a virtual eye care visit looks like, which appointments are a good fit, and how to get the most out of yours.

Key Takeaways

• Teleophthalmology lets an eye specialist review your eyes and talk with you remotely, often using tests and images taken closer to home.
• It works best for follow-ups, reviewing test results and discussing treatment plans. New or urgent symptoms, procedures and many surgical assessments still need an in-person visit.
• A little preparation, like a quiet room, a charged device and a list of your questions, helps your virtual visit go smoothly.

What Is Teleophthalmology?

Teleophthalmology simply means eye care delivered at a distance. It can take a few different forms:

• Video or phone visits. You talk with your eye doctor from home, much like a regular appointment, but without the drive.
• Image review. Photos and scans of your eyes are taken at a local clinic, often by your optometrist, and sent securely to an ophthalmologist for review.
• A combination of both. Images are taken locally, and then your eye doctor reviews the results with you by video or phone.

Because so much of eye care depends on detailed images of the eye, it’s well suited to this kind of remote review.

Which Visits Can Be Virtual?

Virtual care isn’t right for every situation, but it often works well for:

• Reviewing test results, such as scans of the retina or optic nerve
• Follow-ups for stable, long-term conditions that are being monitored
• Discussing a treatment plan or answering questions about a diagnosis
• Talking about whether surgery might be an option, before an in-person assessment
• Some check-ins after treatment, when your eye doctor feels it’s appropriate

Your eye doctor will decide whether a virtual visit is suitable for you. If anything in a virtual visit suggests you need to be seen in person, we’ll arrange that.

When You Need to Be Seen in Person

Some things can’t be done over a screen. You’ll need an in-person visit for:

• New or sudden symptoms. Sudden vision loss, a curtain over your vision, new flashes or floaters, or a painful red eye need urgent, in-person care. Don’t wait for a virtual appointment. After hours, our office voicemail directs callers to Saskatoon City Hospital at 306-655-8000 to ask for the ophthalmologist on call, or you can go directly to the nearest emergency department. In an emergency, you do not need to call us first.
• Procedures and treatments. Laser treatments, injections and surgery all happen in person.
• Detailed exams. Some assessments need the eye to be examined with a microscope, the pupils dilated or special measurements taken in the office, such as before cataract or laser eye surgery.

Imaging Done Close to Home

A big part of a teleophthalmology follow-up happens before you ever talk to the ophthalmologist. Depending on your condition, a local optometrist or clinic may:

• Take photos of the back of your eye (retinal photos)
• Do an OCT scan, a quick, painless scan that shows the layers of the retina and optic nerve
• Check your eye pressure
• Test your side (peripheral) vision with a visual field test
• Check how well you see on the eye chart

These results are shared securely with your eye doctor, who reviews them before or during your visit.

How to Prepare for Your Virtual Visit

Before the Day

• Make sure any tests or imaging you’ve been asked to have are done ahead of time.
• Check that your phone, tablet or computer works for video calls, and that you know how to join.
• Write down your questions and any changes in your vision.
• Have a list of your medications and eye drops ready.

On the Day

• Find a quiet, private space with good lighting.
• Charge your device, or keep it plugged in.
• Have your glasses with you, and your Saskatchewan health card nearby.
• If it helps, ask a family member to join you to listen and take notes.

What Happens During and After the Visit

During the visit, your eye doctor will ask how your eyes have been, go over your test results, and explain what they mean. Together, you’ll talk about the next steps. These might include continuing your current treatment, changing your eye drops, booking another round of imaging, or scheduling an in-person visit.

After the visit, your optometrist or family doctor will usually receive an update so everyone involved in your care is on the same page.

Is a Virtual Follow-Up Right for You?

Conlon Eye Institute offers virtual follow-ups for some visits, such as routine post-operative checks, follow-ups for stable chronic conditions and reviews of test results. Your eye doctor decides whether a virtual visit suits you, and you’ll still be seen in person whenever an exam is needed. If you think a virtual follow-up could work for you, ask our team at your next appointment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a virtual eye appointment as good as an in-person visit?

For the right kind of visit, such as reviewing test results or a stable follow-up, virtual care can work very well. Some exams and all procedures still need an in-person visit, and your eye doctor will let you know when that’s the case.

Do I need special equipment?

Usually, a smartphone, tablet or computer with a camera, microphone and internet connection is enough. Some visits can also be done by phone.

Is my information kept private?

Yes. Your health information is protected, just as it is during an in-person visit. Choose a private spot for your call so you can talk freely.

Can I have a virtual visit for a new eye problem?

New or sudden symptoms usually need to be seen in person. If you have sudden changes in your vision or a painful red eye, get seen the same day. After hours, our office voicemail directs callers to Saskatoon City Hospital at 306-655-8000 to ask for the ophthalmologist on call, or you can go directly to the nearest emergency department. In an emergency, you do not need to call us first.

Book Your Consultation

If you have questions about your follow-up care, our team can help. Book your consultation: call our Saskatoon office at 306-244-4111, Monday to Friday, 7 am to 4 pm. Conlon Eye Institute is in the Medical Arts Building, 341-750 Spadina Crescent East, Saskatoon, SK S7K 3H3.

References

• American Academy of Ophthalmology. Ethics in Telemedicine (information statement). https://www.aao.org/education/ethics-detail/information-statement-ethics-in-telemedicine — supports limits of remote exams, informed consent, privacy and sharing results with local providers.
• COS / Canadian teleglaucoma working group. Evidence-informed approaches to teleglaucoma (2021). https://cosprc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/ENGLISH-final-Evidence-informed-approaches-to-teleglaucoma-1.pdf — supports local data collection by community eye care providers with virtual ophthalmologist review, and in-person care for new or significant symptoms.
• Ontario Telemedicine Network. Teleophthalmology. https://otn.ca/patients/ophthalmology/ — supports local retinal imaging sent securely for specialist review (illustrative Canadian model, not a Saskatchewan program).

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