Eye Care in Canada

The Canadian Association of Optometrists recommends regular eye exams at every age, and more often for children, seniors, and anyone with diabetes or a family history of eye disease.

Coverage varies by province. In Ontario, OHIP covers annual eye exams for patients under 20 and 65+. BC MSP covers exams for patients under 19 and 65+. Alberta covers exams for children under 19 and seniors 65+. Where your exam isn't covered, ask the optometrist about fees first.

No. You can book an appointment directly with an optometrist without a referral. However, if you need to see an ophthalmologist (a medical doctor specializing in eye surgery), you will typically need a referral from your optometrist or family doctor.

An optometrist is a primary eye care provider who performs comprehensive eye exams, prescribes glasses and contact lenses, and manages many eye conditions. An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor who specializes in eye surgery and treating complex eye diseases like glaucoma and cataracts.

The fee depends on the province, the optometrist, and whether extra tests are needed, so ask the clinic first. In provinces where exams are not covered by the health plan, many extended health insurance plans include vision care benefits that cover all or part of the exam cost.

See an optometrist if you experience blurred or double vision, frequent headaches, eye pain or redness, difficulty seeing at night, floaters or flashes of light, or if you notice changes in your vision. Even without symptoms, regular eye exams are important because many conditions like glaucoma develop gradually without obvious early warning signs.