Frequently Asked Questions

What should I bring to my eye exam?

You should bring any eye wear that you are currently using – contacts, glasses and sunglasses – as well as any medications that you take and your health card.

What does OHIP cover?

People 65 years and older and under 20 have OHIP coverage for an eye examination once every 12 months. Persons receiving assistance under the Ontario Disability Support Program, Ontario Works or the Family Benefits Program receive coverage for routine eye examinations once every two years.

Increased Coverage for People with Medical Conditions

OHIP has increased coverage for patients aged 20 to 64 years with medical conditions affecting the eye. Patients can receive a regular eye examination once every 12 months. Prior to November 1, 2004, eye examinations were covered once every two years.

Patients with any of the following conditions can go directly to their optometrist or physician to receive an OHIP insured eye examination: diabetes mellitus, glaucoma, cataract, retinal disease, visual field defects, corneal disease, strabismus.

Patients aged 20 to 64 who have conditions not listed above may also be covered for a regular eye examination. They should discuss this with their primary health care provider.

For more information, contact the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care at 613.536.3103 (collect calls are accepted) or visit their website at www.health.gov.on.ca »

What is an optometrist?

Optometrists are your eye doctors. They specialize in examining, diagnosing, treating, managing and preventing diseases and disorders of the visual system, the eye and related structure, making Ontario’s optometrists your primary eye and vision health doctors.

Recommended treatments for patients can include eyeglasses, contact lenses, special low vision aids, eye co-ordination exercises, drug therapies, or referral to appropriate specialists for advanced medical, surgical or laser treatments.

Like physicians and dentists, optometrists are regulated health professionals who have completed a specialized 4-year university post graduate degree program, which includes extensive lectures and clinical training experience in human health and vision systems, optics, and patient care.

What is the difference between an optometrist, an ophthalmologist, and an optician?

Optometrist: Optometrists are your primary eye care doctors. They are trained to provide the best standards of comprehensive eye care, ranging from assessment and review of overall eye health and visual function to informing a prescription for eyeglasses or referring for secondary treatment by an ophthalmologist with surgery or drugs. Optometrists are your frontline care providers in eye health.

Ophthalmologists: Ophthalmologists are medical doctors who have completed specialized residency training in the study, diagnosis, and treatment of eye disease. They are secondary-level health care providers and they usually use drugs and/or surgery for treatment. A person that requires ophthalmological care (cataract surgery, for example) would usually require a referral from the optometrist or family doctor.

Opticians: Opticians are trained through a college program to fabricate and fit vision aids on the prescription of an optometrist or physician. Opticians are licensed to provide spectacles, and they may also dispense contact lenses and other optical aids. They do not assess, diagnose, or treat eye conditions, nor do they write out prescriptions for eyeglasses or contact lenses.

When should I start bringing my child for an eye exam?

Children should have an assessment between six (6) and 12 months of age. This will help us to determine if the child is at risk for eye or vision problems. Children should have had at least one eye exam by the time they are three (3) and then every year after that.

How often should I get my eyes checked?

We recommend getting your eyes checked every two years, especially after the age of 40, when the risk of many eye diseases increases. Clients over the age of 65 should have an eye exam every year.

What brands of eyewear do you carry?

We carry a good selection of popular eyewear brands. Our staff is trained to help you pick just the right pair and to make sure you have a good, comfortable fit.

Check out our brands!