Eye Care in Canada

The Canadian Association of Optometrists recommends annual eye exams for children (ages 6-18), adults over 65, and anyone with diabetes or a family history of eye disease. Adults aged 19 to 64 with no risk factors should have an exam at least every two years.

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 annual exams for all ages. In provinces without coverage, an eye exam typically costs $75 to $150.

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.

A comprehensive eye exam typically costs $75 to $150 depending on the province, the optometrist, and whether additional tests are needed. 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.