Optometrist Near Me in Canada

Optometry is defined as the profession and practice of examining, diagnosing and treating eye conditions and ensuring the general eye and vision health of patients. It involves using special equipment to evaluate whether you require prescription glasses and to maintain good eye health. Optometrists are healthcare professionals who are qualified to test and examine patients’ eyes and their quality of vision, prescribe glasses and medication for minor eye problems and are able to identify signs of more serious conditions. Opticians are eye care professionals who have been trained to fit and dispense frames and lenses based on the prescription provided by an optometrist or ophthalmologist.

At Oscar Wylee, you can get your eyes examined, update your prescription and shop for your glasses on the same day, however, you will not be able to receive your prescription glasses on the same day. For non-prescription sunglasses, you can browse from our wide range and receive them on the day. At Oscar Wylee Canada, you can see fully-trained and licensed independent optometrists for a comprehensive eye exam. Oscar Wylee was first established as an online e-commerce business back in 2012 and continued advancing in the eyewear industry with reputable services both online and in-store across Australia, New Zealand and Canada.

According to IBISWorld, there are 6,278 optometrist businesses as of 2023, which is an increase of 3.8% from 2022. The total number of optometrists in Canada consists of a varying number in each province. In Alberta, there were a total of 917 as of 2023 according to the Alberta College of Optometrists. In British Columbia, there are approximately 1,000 registered optometrists according to the College of Health and Care Professionals of BC. According to the Nova Scotia College of Optometrists, there are more than a hundred Doctors of Optometry in the communities of Nova Scotia. According to IBISWorld, there are 2,618 optometrist businesses in Ontario. There are 1,357 optometrist businesses in Quebec, according to IBISWorld.

You can easily find your nearest Oscar Wylee store on this locations page of our website. Find Optometrist Near Me is a way for you to find an independent optometrist located at Oscar Wylee in the area where you live. There are a few things to consider before making an appointment with an optometrist. It is important to be familiar with the types of services optometrists have to offer so you can get a better understanding of what you can expect during your appointment. Consult with your optometrist on what you may need to bring to your appointment and if there is anything you need to prepare beforehand. Finally, ensure you have assistance with transport as the optometrist may be required to use eye drops for pupil dilation, this can cause blurred vision temporarily and sensitivity to light which may prevent you from driving or working for up to 1-24 hours.

You can find an optometrist in Canada by taking a few essential steps that may help make it easier. The steps on how to find an optometrist in Canada are listed below.

1. First, search online where you can look for your nearest Oscar Wylee store. This can be done by either searching for Oscar Wylee stores near me or by directly using this locations page.
2. Second, when you find an Oscar Wylee store that is most convenient for you, clicking on the link will take you directly to the page where you can click the ‘book appointment’ button.
3. Third, you can also book directly on this page by clicking on the specific location based on your region.
4. Finally, select from the available times. You will then be taken to the final step where you will need to enter your details, email and phone number.

An optometrist appointment will involve a series of tests and exams to evaluate your eye and vision health and determine whether you need glasses. These tests and exams will help the optometrist determine what grade of prescription you may need. When going to your appointment, you will need to bring your eyeglasses if you already own prescription glasses. The optometrist may also ask you some questions about your medical history. In an eye exam, you will undergo a preliminary eye assessment, a detailed eye assessment and then finally the optometrist will take time to explain their findings and advise on the recommendations that cater to your visual needs.

What to Know Before Seeing an Optometrist?

Preparing yourself before coming in to see an optometrist may be helpful for the overall process, ensuring you are well-informed. The information to know before seeing an optometrist is listed below.

• Make sure you know what your symptoms are if you’re experiencing any changes or problems with your vision.
• A series of eye exams will be conducted to determine whether you need prescription glasses and to ensure your eyes and vision are healthy.
• Be prepared to inform the optometrist of your current medications for your eyes or existing conditions as well as your medical history.
• If you already own prescription glasses, be sure to bring them with you to your appointment so your optometrist will better understand your visual needs.

Optometrists are healthcare professionals who can perform treatments that may help correct refractive errors, double vision and treat eye infections by prescribing glasses and/or eye drops. The treatments optometrists can perform according to Cleveland Clinic are listed below.

• Refractive Errors: Refractive errors such as nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), presbyopia (age-related farsightedness) and astigmatism are common blurry vision problems that occur due to the shape of your eye preventing light from focusing on your retina. Optometrists can diagnose these conditions and prescribe glasses that may help correct them.
• Double Vision: Double vision can be caused by a range of other problems or conditions, the optometrist will need to perform an eye exam and first determine what may be causing it in order to treat it. Optometrists can advise on proper fitting glasses or certain eye exercises to help. If the underlying problem is a more serious condition you may be referred to an ophthalmologist.
• Eye Infections: Eye infections can be minor issues and may only need antihistamine or antibacterial eye drops. If you are concerned about your symptoms you can consult with your optometrist.

Yes, an optician is different from an optometrist due to their job responsibilities, education and training. Opticians are responsible for dispensing frames and lenses according to the prescription supplied by an optometrist or an ophthalmologist. You will likely see an optician working alongside an optometrist, but they will not have the same level of training or provide the same services. An optician will help fit frames for customers, give advice on the right lenses and manage the supply of glasses. They will not be able to conduct comprehensive eye exams like an optometrist, nor can they write prescriptions. According to the Opticians Association of Canada, an optician will have to undergo training at an accredited institution before they can begin practice. This can take from a year to 3 years, depending on the study load undertaken.

The average duration of eye treatment with an optometrist depends on the varying factors of an individual’s visual needs. At Oscar Wylee, we allocate approximately 20 minutes for each eye exam, however, this time frame can vary, especially for those who have more complex eye conditions that require more extensive testing. Eye treatment may be in the form of prescribing glasses or regular eye checkups. Comprehensive eye exams may take longer as this may include initial testing, discussing options for treatment and any further recommendations for eye care and management. If your optometrist sees any signs of concern, they may take additional tests before possibly referring you to an ophthalmologist. The duration of treatment can change for those who need prescription glasses to those who already own prescription glasses and may need adjustments or for those who are coming in for a specific issue.

Eye care quality can change from location to location in Canada based on accessibility, optometry workforce availability, resources and facilities. According to an article published in the National Library of Medicine titled, Geographic availability to optometry services across Canada, optometrists across Canada are predominantly located in urban areas with the national mean ratio being 1.70 optometrists per 10,000 people. This article concluded there are gaps in geographic availability relative to ‘need’ and ‘supply’ factors. Therefore, in terms of accessibility, there is an uneven distribution of optometrists across Canada making a person’s access to eye care dependent on their location.

At Oscar Wylee, the cost of a complete eye exam in Canada starts from $90. A complete eye exam with retinal imaging starts from $120. Provincial health cover may be available for ages 18 years and under or 65 years and over.

To find an optometrist in different locations in Canada, you can look through the list above, choose from any of the stores listed in your region and then select a store based on your specific location. There are 13 stores across Canada located in Alberta, British Columbia, Nova Scotia, Ontario and Quebec. The process for finding an optometrist in different locations is the same across all of our Oscar Wylee stores.