Frequently Asked Questions

OHIP covers eye exams for children under 20, adults 65 and older, and adults aged 20 to 64 with certain medical conditions such as diabetes or glaucoma. Routine exams for most working-age adults are not covered by OHIP.

At Spadina Optometry, you can order contact lenses online with home delivery and automatic refills through our ordering platform. Pricing is competitive with major online retailers, and ordering through us means your lenses are always matched to your current prescription and fitting parameters.

Transparent pricing for eye exams, specialty services, and treatments at Spadina Optometry in downtown Toronto. Includes OHIP coverage details, direct billing, and what to expect for out-of-pocket costs.

Most employer vision plans in Ontario cover some or all of the cost of eye exams, glasses, and contact lenses. At Spadina Optometry, we direct-bill over 30 insurance providers including Sun Life, Manulife, Canada Life, Green Shield, and Desjardins. Coverage varies by employer and plan, so bring your card or share your details before your visit.

After your eye exam, you have choices about where to buy glasses. Here is what Spadina Optometry offers as an independent clinic — how we fit, what we carry, what is included, and why the person who examined your eyes is often the best person to help you choose your lenses.

Yes. Many serious eye conditions — including glaucoma and early diabetic retinopathy — cause no noticeable symptoms until significant damage has already occurred. Regular eye exams check more than vision clarity; they assess eye health.

If you work near King and Spadina, Spadina Optometry is less than a 4-minute walk away. We offer comprehensive eye exams, direct insurance billing, and appointments that fit around your workday.

There is no single best optometrist for everyone. The right choice depends on your needs, communication style, and the type of care you are looking for.

At Spadina Optometry in downtown Toronto, we set your exam schedule based on your age, clinical findings, and risk factors — not a one-size-fits-all guideline. Children should be seen annually. Most adults benefit from exams every one to two years. Seniors and patients with diabetes, glaucoma risk, or other conditions need more frequent monitoring. We tell you exactly when to come back and why.

Patients with diabetes or high blood pressure are at higher risk for sight-threatening conditions that develop without symptoms. At Spadina Optometry, we include retinal imaging and OCT in every exam for these patients, set recall schedules based on clinical findings, and coordinate directly with your family doctor or specialist.

Some eye symptoms need same-day assessment. Here are practical “call now” signs and what to do next.

The best eye exam is one that is thorough, explains results clearly, and matches your health and vision needs. Not all eye exams are the same.

An optometrist is a primary eye care provider who performs exams, diagnoses and manages many eye conditions, and prescribes glasses and contact lenses. An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor specializing in eye surgery and subspecialty care. In Ontario, most routine and primary eye care — including management of many eye diseases — is handled by optometrists.

Your first eye exam at Spadina Optometry starts before you arrive. We ask you to complete an intake form covering your health history, lifestyle, and visual demands so your optometrist can tailor the exam to how you actually use your eyes.

Children should have their first eye exam between 6 and 9 months, again before starting school, and every year after that.

At Spadina Optometry, we discuss nutrition as part of your eye exam because what you eat directly affects your risk for age-related macular degeneration, dry eye, and diabetic eye disease. We recommend the Eyefoods guide by Dr. Laurie Capogna, a colleague and Ontario optometrist who has spent over 20 years researching the connection between diet and eye health.

Contact lenses are medical devices regulated by Health Canada. They are safe when properly fitted and used as directed, but buying lenses without a prescription, sharing lenses, or wearing unregulated cosmetic lenses can cause serious eye infections and permanent damage. At Spadina Optometry in downtown Toronto, we fit coloured and cosmetic lenses alongside standard prescriptions -- you do not have to choose between looking the way you want and keeping your eyes safe.

Yes — many people with astigmatism wear contact lenses successfully. The key is choosing the right lens type and getting a proper fit from an optometrist.

Most contact lens problems come down to wear habits, not the lenses themselves. Sleeping in contacts significantly increases infection risk. End-of-day discomfort usually relates to overwear, lens age, dry eyes, or screen time. Replacing lenses and cases on schedule, using fresh solution every night, and knowing when to take lenses out early are the basics that prevent most serious problems. At Spadina Optometry in downtown Toronto, we would rather answer these questions honestly than have patients guess or feel judged for asking.

At Spadina Optometry in downtown Toronto, we fit standard, toric, multifocal, and specialty contact lenses — including scleral lenses for keratoconus, irregular corneas, and severe dry eye. If you have been told contacts will not work for you, a specialty fitting may still be possible.

Ortho-K uses custom-fitted lenses that gently reshape the cornea overnight — giving you clear vision during the day without glasses or contacts.

At Spadina Optometry, we carry progressive, single vision, and occupational lenses from Hoya, ZEISS, and Shamir at multiple tiers. We recommend based on your prescription, daily tasks, and budget. Every pair includes premium anti-reflective coating, scratch-resistant coating, and UV protection. We also carry Essilor and Nikon for patients who prefer those brands.

Scleral lenses vault over the cornea and hold a reservoir of saline against the eye, keeping it continuously hydrated throughout the day. At Spadina Optometry in downtown Toronto, we fit scleral lenses for patients with severe dry eye that has not responded to drops, plugs, or other treatments — including Sjogren's syndrome, graft-vs-host disease, and post-surgical dryness.

Screen time doesn't directly cause myopia, but it increases risk by reducing outdoor time and increasing prolonged near work.

Myopia is common in children and can worsen as they grow. Evidence-based options to slow progression include specialty lenses, orthokeratology, and low-dose atropine drops. At Spadina Optometry in Toronto, our optometrists help families choose the right approach.

Dry eye symptoms spike in Canadian winters because forced-air heating drops indoor humidity to levels that accelerate tear evaporation. Cold outdoor air, wind, and the constant transition between heated indoors and freezing outdoors stress the tear film further. At Spadina Optometry in downtown Toronto, we see a seasonal increase in dry eye complaints from November through March and can help patients manage flare-ups before they become chronic.

We're located in downtown Toronto near King & Spadina, easily accessible by TTC, foot, or car. Here's how to find us.