Search Input

Quick Links

Make a payment Classes and events Sign in to my account

Find a doctor

Find a physician or specialists in your area.

Have a question?

View Contact Us to see frequently requested numbers.

Eye Care

From performing vision exams to prescribing corrective eyewear, our multi-disciplined ophthalmology team cares just as much about your eyes as you do.

Find a provider Find a location

Your eyes are our priority

Our skilled ophthalmologists deliver personalized care to keep your eyes in top condition, and give you peace of mind. With seven dedicated locations across Utah we offer advanced tests and advanced treatments, using the very latest technology.

A young woman smiles while trying on a new pair of prescription eyeglasses

Our services

Eye exams
Eye plastic surgery

Oculoplastic surgery
Neuro-Ophthalmology

What we treat

Cataracts
An age-related condition, causing cloudy or blurry vision, sensitivity to glare, and poor night vision.

Diabetics eye disease
This is a group of eye problems that can be caused by diabetes and lead to vision problems or blindness.

Glaucoma
A group of diseases that affect the optic nerve and if not treated early, can cause vision loss or blindness.

Loss of vision
Losing all or part of your sight has many causes such as macular degeneration, glaucoma, cataracts, and diabetes.

Macular degeneration
Vision loss that occurs when the macula, part of the eye used to see objects sharply and clearly, is destroyed.

Refractive errors
Refractive errors happen when your eyes are shaped in a way that makes it hard for them to focus.

What is oculoplastic surgery?

Oculoplastic surgery is an advanced field that focuses on restoring or maintaining the eyelid, orbital, and tear duct functions. Our expert in this area is Dr. Albert Dal Canto who practices at the Alta View Clinic. He is a board-certified ophthalmologist and plastic and reconstructive eye surgeon, specializing in oculofacial (eyelid, facial, and plastic) surgery.

Oculoplastic surgery includes the following procedures:

Blepharoplasty surgery (eyelid lift)

Ptosis surgery

Lower eyelid repositioning surgery

Tearing surgery

Orbital fracture repair

Tumor resection

Reconstruction

Cosmetic eyelid surgery

Botox and facial fillers

Our locations

Find eye care near you

Our eye care services are available in seven locations throughout Utah, bringing you expert care closer to home.

Find a location

Does Medicare cover eye exams?

Eye exams are a common and important part of medical care for many people Routine eye exams are not usually covered by Original Medicare. But if you are diagnosed with certain medical conditions, Original Medicare will cover some procedures to monitor your eye health.

All you need to know about eye exams

Find answers to FAQs about eye exams and when to have them.

What is an eye exam?

A regular eye exam is an important part of taking care of your eyes. An eye exam is more than a vision screening, which children get at school and at their checkups.

What types of professionals specialize in eye care?

Different types of professionals may be involved in caring for your eyes. It is important to know what each one does.

Ophthalmologist: A medical or osteopathic doctor (MD or DO) who specializes in eyes. Like other doctors, they are licensed to practice medicine and do surgery. They have expertise in treating all types of eye problems.
Optometrist: An optometrist is not a medical doctor but is a healthcare provider trained at optometry school. An optometrist is also called a doctor of optometry (OD). Optometrists do regular eye exams and basic eye care. The optometrist can help you with glasses or contact lenses, but may refer you to an ophthalmologist for other problems.
Optician. An optician helps you to choose glasses and makes sure they fit you. An optician is not a healthcare provider.

When should I get an eye exam?

How often you get an eye exam depends on several factors, including your age and health status. Children should have a vision screening every year, but may not need a full eye exam unless the child’s doctor recommends it. If you are having trouble with your eyes or vision, make an appointment for an eye exam right away. Otherwise, adults between the ages of 20 and 64 with no vision problems should get a full eye exam every 2–4 years. Adults with vision problems or risk factors may need to go more often. African American adults have an increased risk of glaucoma and may need to go for eye exams every 1–2 years. After age 65, all adults should get a full eye exam every 1–2 years.

What tests are included in an eye exam?

An eye exam typically includes several tests to make sure your eyes are healthy:

Vision exam. The doctor will check how well you can see at different distances (visual acuity). They will also do a visual field test to check your peripheral (side) vision, and make sure you can move your eyes around.
Dilated eye exam. The doctor puts drops in your eyes to widen your pupils so that they can look into the eye and check for problems. It takes about 30 minutes for your pupils to dilate. While they are dilated, your vision will be blurry and sensitive to light.
Tonometry. This measures the pressure of the fluid inside your eyes. It checks for glaucoma, a condition caused by extra fluid in the eye that puts too much pressure on the optic nerve and can damage it. This is more commonly known as a “puff of air” test. Depending on your age and your risks for glaucoma, your doctor may use this test or a different kind of tonometry test.

What else can an eye exam pick up?

Sometimes the doctor can see more than just eye problems in an eye exam. During the exam, the doctor can get a good look at the blood vessels and nerves in your eye. The eye doctor may be able to tell if you are at risk for heart disease, diabetes, and other diseases.

What are the benefits of an eye exam

Eye exams can find vision problems so you can correct them and see better for reading, driving, and other activities of daily life. They can also find eye problems early so you can take steps to prevent them from getting worse. Eye exams can sometimes find other possible problems, too, like diabetes, heart disease, stroke risk, and high blood pressure.

How do I prepare?

Your eye exam will take anywhere from 45 to 90 minutes, so make sure to schedule enough time. The exam is simple and not usually uncomfortable. Before you go for your eye exam, write down:

Eye problems or eye surgeries you have had in the past.
Eye symptoms that are bothering you or that you are worried about.
Family history of eye problems.
Any questions you have about your eyes or vision.

What should I take with me to an appointment?

Bring all medicines, vitamins, and supplements you normally take. It’s also worth bringing your eyeglasses or contact lenses, or both; your health insurance card and sunglasses to wear after the exam (pupil dilation will make your eyes sensitive to light).

When will I know the results?

You will know the results by the end of the exam. Ask questions if you don’t understand what the doctor is saying about the results, or if the doctor forgets to tell you them. Useful things to check are if there are any changes in your eyes since your last exam. Also ask if you should make any changes to the way you care for your eyes. And if you went to an optometrist, ask if you need to see an ophthalmologist to follow up on any problems.

What are follow-up requirements and options?

If you get a new prescription for eyeglasses or contact lenses after your eye exam, be sure to get them as soon as you can. For some problems, an optometrist may recommend that you follow up with an ophthalmologist. The ophthalmologist may want to carry out more tests.

What should I expect during recovery?

If your pupils were dilated as part of your eye exam, your eyes may be blurry or sensitive to light for 2-3 hours after the exam. Be sure to wear sunglasses to help with light sensitivity. You may also want to have someone drive you home from the appointment.

You might be interested in

Wellness and preventative medicine

Goodbye flu, hello healthy: How to prep for this flu season

Your comprehensive guide to staying well-informed and healthy this fall

Pediatrics

Essential back-to-school health tips for your kids

Strategies for ensuring your child's wellbeing and success this school year

Primary care

What should I ask my primary care provider?

The best questions to ask during your next primary care appointment, according to our experts.

Primary care

How regularly seeing your primary care provider saves you money in the long run

Getting consistent care can reduce poor health and medical expenses over time.

Primary care

What can a primary care provider do for your mental health?

How and why to discuss behavioral health with your primary care provider.

Emergency care

Know where to go: Your guide on choosing the right care at the right time

No matter what health concerns you may have, Intermountain Health is just a call or click away.

Primary care

How To Get The Most Out of Every Doctor Visit

Your annual checkup should be a conversation. Here's how to get the dialogue going.

How to choose a mental health provider for your child

Choosing a therapist can be difficult. Often, you’re unsure where to start and what to expect. Here are some ideas to help you get started.

How is your child's mental health?

It doesn’t matter if your child is six or sixteen, when they’re struggling, they need help. Unless you know what to look for and what to expect, you won’t be able to help your child get the help they need.

Help For Seniors With Mental Health and Substance Abuse Issues

As American baby boomers get older, their need for mental health services is booming. One in five American seniors has a mental health or substance abuse problem, according to a 2012 report by the Institute of Medicine -- and that number will only grow as baby boomers get older.

Better Than Sunscreen: Dress Your Kids in UV Protective Clothing

A sunburn in childhood can dramatically increase your chance of skin cancer later. UV protective clothing and sunblock are the best defense against UV rays.

Get Outside and Play! The Benefits of Parks for Kids

While school is out, you might be at a loss about what to do to keep your children happy and healthy during the dog days of summer. The answer may be easier than you'd expect – try a trip to the local park.

Backpacks: Are Your Kids Overloaded?

You send your kids out the door, lunch in hand, backpack loaded. Wait, what is all in that backpack?

Back to School Guide in 5 Steps

Parents everywhere are rejoicing and kids are shedding tears. Why? Because it's August and for some school starts in just a few days. Here are 5 ways to get kids back into the swing of sleep routine, reducing school stress, and dealing with back to school emotions.

Back to School 6 Steps to Start a Healthy Year

Summer's end brings the advent of a new school year. Preparing for a smooth transition can be crucial to developing a more focused learning environment.

Back-to-School and Childhood Illnesses

Every parent has been there. Your child wakes up at 2 am and they’re sick with … something. It’s two weeks into a new school year, so you’re sure it’s something they picked up

preventingpediatricconstipationwithdietaryfiber

Baby Your Baby - Preventing Pediatric Constipation

Discussion of dietary and bowel habits is an important part of routine health supervision visits for infants and children of all ages. This is because inadequate fluid and/or fiber intake can lead to constipation, a common childhood concern.

Baby Your Baby - All About RSV

If you have a newborn or a young child, you may have heard a lot about RSV. In this article, we answer some common questions you may have about this illness.

Baby Your Baby - All About Croup

If you have a newborn or a young child, you may have heard a lot about croup. In this article, we answer some common questions you may have about this illness.

Alternative Communication Ideas for Individuals With Autism

Many individuals on the autism spectrum do not even have the use of basic gestures to help them get their needs across

Age-Appropriate Chores For Kids

You could use some help around the house. Between work, and keeping track of your kids, you just aren’t making it through all of your household chores. You think your child is old enough to help out with chores, but you aren’t sure

Aging Gracefully: Senior Health

Aging, it has been said, isn’t for the weak. While there is no way to turn back the hands of time, there are some things that you can do that can improve your life and increase the fulfillment and joy you find in your golden years.

A Team-Based Approach to Mental Health Integration in Primary Care

Long before patient-centered medical homes or accountable care organizations were buzzwords, Salt Lake City–based Intermountain Healthcare was looking at all of the points of care that could improve the health of patients in its system. It did not take long to identify mental health as a problem.

A Man's Guide to Preventive Maintenance

Men are great at assuring their car gets the required maintenance to keep it running smoothly. But they aren't great about taking charge of their own health to keep the engine running. Here are five ways men can maintain their health with good preventive care.

A Guide to Fevers in Kids

Fevers occur when the body’s internal thermostat raises the body temperature above its normal level. There are different causes of fevers, but there are a few ways to know if they should be considered serious.

Men's Health: A Deeper Look at a Familiar Field

The study of men’s health began as the study of testosterone, erectile dysfunction, and male infertility. Since then, it has rapidly grown and changed.

80% of Americans Don't Get Enough Exercise. Do you?

It’s January and everybody is going to the gym. I applaud and encourage everyone who is making a commitment to be more active as their New Year’s resolution, but before you take on a P90X or Insanity workout, let’s talk a little about what you need to know so you can be healthy and successful.

10 Things to Know About Online Doctor Visits

So you’ve heard about this thing called telehealth, or maybe you’ve even tried Intermountain Connect Care for yourself; but what do you really know about online medical visits?

9 Things Happy Parents Do To Raise Happy Children

Children have a way of pushing their parents to the limit of their patience – and beyond, which leaves both parent and child frustrated. The good news is, when it comes to children, a little preparation can help.

8 Steps to Healthy Aging

It has been predicted that the “new” mid-life will be age 74 in the not-so-distant future. People are working and living longer these days. There are many advantages to age, such as you can reinvent yourself all over again.

8 Creative Ways to Stay Active with Your Family This Fall

Autumn brings beauty and plenty of fun for the whole family, and having a few ideas on hand will help you be active and healthy.

7 Symptoms of Cataracts

At some point, the maturing lens begins to opacify, blocking and scattering the light entering the eye. If left untreated, a cataract will naturally continue to progress. Read more to recognize these 7 signs of cataracts and what can be done to reduce risk.

6 Tips to Help Children Handle Failure

Much like adults kids have pressures in life that come from a variety of sources. Pressures can come from within the child, parents, teachers, peers and the larger society in which the child lives. Here are a few ways to help children find successful ways to handle life's pressures.