A Comprehensive Guide To Eye Exam Costs In Vancouver
When it comes to the cost of an eye exam in Vancouver, the public is generally confused. There is no standard fee. As a local, community-focused optometrist, we want to pull the curtain back on eye exam costs so that you can be well-informed. Patients can get an eye exam through a few different avenues including optical retailers that have in-house optometrists, group eye care practices with ophthalmologists and optometrists, independent eye doctors, and the eye department at multidisciplinary clinics.
Ultimately, each avenue decides on how much they charge based on the level of expertise your eyes need, the market rate, and what they believe their eye exam service is worth. To understand the various factors that play into the cost of eye examinations in Vancouver, read through the following sections to find the answer to your questions:
Are Eye Exams Free In BC?
Are Eye Exams Covered In BC? What Is The Average Cost For An Eye Exam
What Is Included In An Eye Exam? Why Do You Need An Eye Exam?
Are Eye Exams Free In BC?
Eye exams are not free in BC.Depending on your age, your income, and a few other factors, you may receive partial or full coverage for eye exams.
What is the cheapest place to get an eye exam?
It depends.
Routine eye examinations are not covered under the Medical Services Plan (MSP) for people between 19 to 64 years. However, if you receive income or disability assistance you are fully or partially covered for certain optical services, including eye exams.
Families who receive income or disability assistance get full MSP coverage for routine eye exams for children under 12 and partial or full MSP coverage for children under 19.
Adults who receive income or disability assistance get partial coverage in the amount of $48.90 for routine eye exams, once every two years. Additional costs are up to the individual. The good news is that you don’t pay out of pocket. Money for optical services is paid directly to the optometrist.
Seniors receive partial or complete coverage under the Medical Services Plan (no income or disability assistance required), and BC residents of all ages who are covered by MSP are eligible for full coverage when it comes to medically necessary eye exams.
Generally, “medically necessary” eye exams are recommended when the following are a part of your health profile:
Medications with significant ocular risk
Systemic diseases with significant ocular risk (ie. diabetes)
Ocular, injury, trauma or disease
The Average Cost For An Eye Exam in Vancouver
The current market rate for eye exams in BC ranges from $75 to more than $250.
Keep in mind that the cost of an eye exam changes depending on where you go and which tests are included in the exam. For example, eye exams for contact lens wearers include a contact lens fitting or other contact lens-related services.
Private medical insurance or provincial medical insurance, such as organizations like Group Enroll, may cover the entire cost or a partial amount.
Expect higher fees when it comes to optometrists who have more than 10 years of experience. Service-focused providers might also charge more to include patient education, a comfortable environment, and a seamless customer service experience—factors that aren’t typically found in clinical offices.
What Is the Cheapest Place to Get an Eye Exam?
The cheapest eye exam may not be what’s in your best interest when it comes to eye health. Eye exams are about more than figuring out your eyeglass prescription. Routine eye exams are important to detect early signs of common eye issues like macular degeneration, glaucoma, and retinal detachments, along with more general problems that impact eye health like diabetes or high blood pressure.
As you’re evaluating eye exam costs, consider the quality of care that you can expect based on the experience of the provider and patient reviews.
The best way to get an eye exam at the lowest out-of-pocket cost is to understand what you’re covered for through the provincial Medical Services Plan and any employer insurance.
What’s Included in a Comprehensive Eye Exam?
Eye exams involve more than just reading an eye chart. Doctors use a wide variety of tests during eye exams. A comprehensive eye exam can include a number of simple and complex tests to evaluate your vision and eye health.
The following procedures and tests are can be included in an eye exam:
Visual acuity tests - Measures the sharpness of your vision
Pupil dilation - An examination of the eyes’ internal structures
Pupillary distance - A measure of the distance between the centers of your pupils.
Slit lamp exam - A magnified examination of the eyes’ structures
Color blindness test - An exam to detect colour vision deficiency
Retinoscopy - A procedure that provides your doctor with an approximation of your eyeglass prescription
Autorefractors and aberrometers - Tools used to automatically estimate your eyeglass prescription
Cover test - Checks for eye alignment
Ocular motility testing (eye movements) - Measures the ability of your eyes to follow a moving object
Visual field test - Checks for blind spots in your peripheral vision
Stereopsis test - Checks for normal levels of depth perception
Refraction - Determines your exact eyeglass prescription
Glaucoma test - Tests for risk or presence of glaucoma
Avoid Hidden Fees and Extra Charges
Watch out for hidden fees. In some cases, patients have been hit with unexpected fees for minor procedures that they were not made aware of at the time of booking. According to a CBC article, unsuspecting patients have even been swindled by B.C. optometrists that violated “...provincial regulations by charging an extra fee...that's supposed to be included in eye exams”. These optometrists added extra charges onto patients’ bills for the pupillary distance measurement.
When booking an eye exam, be informed. Find out which procedures are included in the exam and inquire about additional charges. At Della Optique, you never have to worry about additional fees since our eye exam fees are always all-in-one.
Don't wait any longer. Book an eye exam with Della Optique to stay one step ahead of vision loss.
Why Do You Need An Eye Exam?
Many people think that eye exams are not necessary. But the fact is, routine eye care is recommended for everyone.
Children should have their first eye exams at 6 months, 3 years and then yearly during school years. Adults over 19 years old need to be checked annually.
And if you see clearly, you’re not exempt. Many eye diseases go undetected, like glaucoma and retinal tears. Early detection of an eye disease is essential in treating the problem before lasting damage occurs.
When deciding on where to get your eyes checked, do the following to ensure you get the most out of your next eye exam:
Ask for recommendations from family and friends.
Check customer reviews online.
Find out which procedures are included in the eye exam cost and if additional fees should be expected.
Find out if you qualify for partial or full coverage under MSP or your medical insurance plan.
Comprehensive Eye Exams in Vancouver, BC
At Della Optique, there are no surprise costs with your eye exam, just highly regarded optometrists with a combined experience of over 40 years conducting eye exams. Della Optique has an average rating of 4.9 stars out of 5 on Google Reviews—with 525 reviews and counting.
In our patient’s own words:
“I have been a patient of Dr. Chow for 16 years now and I can confidently say that she is the best optometrist I have ever had the pleasure of visiting. She takes the time to listen to her patients’ concerns and provides thoughtful and personalized recommendations. Her expertise and attention to detail are truly impressive, and I have always felt confident in her ability to provide the best possible care for my eyes.”
Have any final questions before you book an eye exam with us? Visit our booking page or give us a call at (604) 742-3937.
