Question 1

What is the cost of an exam?

Accepted Answer

Our Comprehensive Eye Exam (CEE) is $99.00 CAD. This is your complete vision and health checkup.

We also offer the CEE in combination with a Contact Lens Fitting for $120.00 -$160.00 CAD total.* The exact pricing is dependent on your specific contact lens needs. If you're interested in wearing contacts, this is the exam you would book for.

Medical Eye Exams are generally $99.00 CAD also, but may be more or less costly, depending on your circumstance and treatment. These exams are indicated if you have a health-related issue with your eye(s).

*If you already have a valid glasses prescription from another Optometrist and are only interested in contact lenses, we usually charge $60.00 CAD for a standalone Contact Lens Fitting. Our doctor can inform you if you qualify for this discounted exam.

Question 2

How long is an exam?

Accepted Answer

Our Comprehensive Eye Exam (CEE) runs about 20 minutes in standard cases.

Our CEE +Contact Lens Fitting runs about 30 minutes in standard cases, as long as you are a current wearer. If the doctor indicates that you need contact lens training*, please expect to be here for about an hour. This timing mostly depends on how quickly you are able to pickup on the insertion and removal process. Some contact lens trainees take a shorter or longer amount of time.

*Contact lens training will always be decided on by the doctor, not the patient. This is legally required if you've never worn contacts before or if the doctor feels the trial lenses cannot be released to you without further training.

Question 3

What does a Comprehensive Eye Exam include?

Accepted Answer

During your vision check, the Optometrist will take a complete medical history and review your goals for the exam. We'll check your visual acuity and perform a complete refraction to determine your vision correction for near and far. We will also check for things like eye muscle coordination and peripheral vision function.

During your health check, we'll screen for pathologies like glaucoma or retinopathy by examining the cornea, retina, optic nerve, and other important eye structures under the slit lamp. This can include dilation (if you are open to it) to give us a larger view into your inner eye. If you would like to be dilated, please attend with a driver and sunglasses (if you have a pair).

Question 4

What does a Contact Lens Exam include?

Accepted Answer

With a Contact Lens Exam*, you will undergo everything included with the CEE first. Afterwards, we'll discuss your contact lens desires and fit you with trial lenses to test in-office. We'll check and recheck your vision (just like with glasses) and fine tune as we need to. We'll also check for plastic reactivity and adequate movement and fit. If you've worn contacts before and we have a pair of trials in-stock for you to try, we'll probably be able to finalize your Contact Lens prescription that same day. You can order contacts for purchase once you have your prescription, if you would like to.

The cost of the Contact Lens Exam or Fitting includes trial lenses, a contact lens prescription, and any training or follow-up appointments you may also require.

*Contact Lens Fittings are always in addition to a Comprehensive Eye Exam (CEE). The Contact Lens Exam is a CEE + Contact Lens Fitting. Since we use your glasses prescription to mathematically determine your contact lens prescription, we'll need that first. If you already have a valid glasses prescription from somewhere else, you may be able to just do a Standalone Contact Lens Fitting for a reduced price.

Question 5

What if I am a first-time contact lens wearer?

Accepted Answer

We'll need to do training, also. This usually takes about an hour, but can take more or less time depending on how quickly you are able to learn the insertion and removal process. Contact lens training is a legal requirement for all new wearers or if the doctor determines you require more mentoring.

As long as you are able to insert and remove the trial lenses on your own in-office, you'll be able to take them home to try out for a few days. After this trial period, you will meet with the doctor once more so she can finalize your contact lens prescription. At this point, you'll be able to order contacts anywhere you prefer.

Contact lenses are classified as medical devices and have more stringent legal guidelines than glasses. This makes a first-time fitting an extended process that requires a follow-up appointment.

Question 6

What if I have a medical issue?

Accepted Answer

Our doctors can help.* You'll just book for a normal Comprehensive Eye Exam (CEE) and we'll spend more time focusing on the health of your eyes. Typically, the cost of a Medical Eye Exam (MEE) is the same as the CEE, but the doctor may charge more or less depending on your individual case.  You will need to speak to the doctor directly to inquire about pricing in your case.

Medical Eye Exams can include prescriptions for medications or referrals to specialists. Sometimes, you may require treatment, additional follow-up appointments or specialized testing, which will all be priced at the discretion of the doctor. You'll always be given the option to opt in or out of any additional costs.

*Medical issues with the eyes can range from benign redness to vision-threating complications that must be addressed surgically within 24 hours. There is no way for the doctor or staff to recommend a definite course of action without performing a MEE first. While we want to help you in anyway possible, there are strict legal regulations in play that we must abide by. Please understand that it is the sole responsibility of the patient to determine whether to seek out an Optometrist or to seek immediate care from the Emergency Department at your local hospital. Do not ignore symptoms like pain, sudden flashes of light, numerous floaters, or any other unusual experience.

Question 7

Do you have to put dilating drops in my eyes?

Accepted Answer

All procedures or treatments are optional for the patient. You may decline anything you do not want to do. However, the doctor may strongly recommend a fully dilated fundus exam if you are a patient who is at higher risk for pathologies of the eye.

Again, due to potential side effects of the dilating drops (such as temporary blur with near-vision, sensitivity to light or sleepiness), dilation is always optional, but included in the price of your exam. A full list of possible side effects may be given to you by your Optometrist at your request.

Question 8

Can you manage my disease?

Accepted Answer

Optometrists are able to manage ocular disease. Examples of pathologies we typically treat are glaucoma, retinopathy, Dry Eye Syndrome, or ocular infection. Some diseases are complex and require either urgent or specialized care. In this case, we may refer you to an Ophthalmologist or other specialist. Either way, we will either treat you ourselves or direct you to someone who can.

Question 9

What kind of specialized testing can you perform?

Accepted Answer

At our clinic, we may utilize Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), Visual Field testing or retinal imaging, if indicated. We can assist with dry eye treatments such as manual eyelid debridement or meibomian gland expression. We also work with with myopia-controlled patients to manage the progression of their refractive error. These examples are a few of the extra procedures we can assist with. Please contact us if you would like to inquire about specific testing or procedures outside of the normal Comprehensive Eye Exam protocol.

Question 10

What if I need a referral to an Ophthalmologist?

Accepted Answer

We are legally required to refer you to an appropriate specialist if needed. Our optometrists will advise you as to who you should see. We are open to your preferences, so please feel free to discuss any suggestions or requests.

As a note, nearly all medical doctor specialists require a referral by someone like an Optometrist or primary care physician first. This especially applies if you are looking for your treatment to be covered by OHIP. Our clinic is a great place to start your treatment plan.

Question 11

Do you take pediatric patients?

Accepted Answer

Here, we begin seeing children as early as 6 months of age. According to the Ontario Association of Optometrists, the recommendation is to start at 6 months, with follow-up exams between ages 2-3 years and annual exams starting at age 4.*

Whether you suspect trouble or would just like to have things checked out, our doctors enjoy working with children of all ages.

*OHIP fully covers the cost of Comprehensive Eye Exams annually, up until the age of 20. So if you or your child are 19 years or younger, please bring your OHIP card or number with you so that the doctor can submit appropriately. Unfortunately, if you do have OHIP and forget to bring your card, we will not be able to examine you as there is no online database to manually search for patients' OHIP information.

Frequently asked questions