Where can I get an OACP vision assessment in Toronto?

Spadina Optometry is authorized to perform the Vision Assessment of Police Constable Applicants, including Stage II Night Vision Testing when it is required. The clinic is at 477 Richmond St W, Suite 809, in downtown Toronto, near King and Spadina and on the 504 King and 510 Spadina streetcar lines.

Can I go to any optometrist for the OACP vision assessment?

Yes. The OACP states there is no pre-approved list of providers, so you may complete the medical examination package with your preferred optometrist or ophthalmologist, provided they are located in Canada. Two limits are worth knowing: a family doctor cannot complete the package, and neither can a military doctor - the vision assessment must be done by an optometrist or ophthalmologist, and the hearing assessment by an audiologist or hearing instrument specialist. That is why the two halves are booked separately.

How much does the OACP vision assessment cost?

The OACP Vision Assessment is $275. Stage II Night Vision Testing, when required, is an additional $118. Neither is covered by OHIP, because this is an assessment for an employment application rather than a medical eye examination.

How long is the OACP Vision Assessment Form valid?

Two years from the date your practitioner signs it, per the OACP. Note that this is separate from the OACP Certificate itself, which is valid for one year - applicants often conflate the two and assume the vision assessment expires with the certificate. If your application runs past the two years, the assessment has to be repeated.

Do I need to print the whole OACP Medical Examination Package?

No. The OACP Medical Examination Package is 11 pages, and most candidates only need the Vision Assessment Form out of it. We provide copies of the Vision Assessment Form at your appointment, so there is nothing you need to print or bring.

What does OACP Stage II night vision testing involve?

It is contrast and low-light acuity testing, done binocularly, using Bailey-Lovie or ETDRS charts. The OACP sets it out in its Guidelines for Vision Specialists, and the design is tiered. The first level is a screening test on a 25% Weber contrast chart at normal room illumination: read the 0.10 logMAR (6/7.5) line with every letter correct and you meet the standard with no further testing. Anyone who does not, and anyone whose surgery was not laser corneal refractive surgery, goes on to the full set of three tests. Mesopic (dim) conditions are not simulated by dimming the lights - the charts are viewed through welding goggles fitted with a Shade 6 filter, transmitting between 1% and 0.4% of the light, after five minutes of adaptation with the filter in place.

What is the OACP night vision standard?

An applicant must meet the minimum on at least two of three tests, all measured binocularly, with or without glasses or contact lenses. Low contrast (25% Weber) in photopic conditions requires at least 0.20 logMAR, equivalent to 6/9. High contrast (over 85% Weber) in mesopic conditions requires at least 0.30 logMAR, or 6/12. Low contrast (25% Weber) in mesopic conditions requires at least 0.58 logMAR, or 6/22.5. Two of the three must be met, not all three. The OACP notes that applicants who fail the resolution tests have also been shown to have increased sensitivity to glare.

What documentation do I need after LASIK or PRK for my OACP application?

If you have had PRK, LASIK, SBK, LASEK, LTK, SMILE or any other laser-assisted corneal refractive surgery within the previous six months, the OACP requires documented proof that your vision has stabilised. That means two examinations at least 21 days apart, each recording uncorrected monocular acuity, corrected monocular acuity, and subjective refraction. Acuity between the two visits must agree within three letters, and refraction within 0.50 dioptre for both the spherical and cylindrical components. The documentation must also confirm that all post-surgical drugs have been discontinued, with the exception of over-the-counter artificial tears. Night vision is assessed only once refraction is confirmed stable.

Where can I get Stage II night vision testing for the OACP in Ontario?

The OACP publishes a list of optometrists in Ontario who perform Stage II Night Vision Testing, organised by zone. Spadina Optometry appears on that list under Dr. Kristin Heeney, O.D., at 477 Richmond Street West, Suite 809 in downtown Toronto. Not every optometry practice offers this testing, so it is worth confirming against the OACP's list before booking - if you have had refractive surgery within the previous six months, this is the testing your application will need in addition to the standard vision assessment.

What do I have to submit to the police service with my vision assessment?

Two things: the completed Vision Assessment Form, and the receipt or invoice from the appointment. The receipt is a requirement, not an optional extra, and it is the piece applicants most often forget. We provide both documents so you leave with a complete submission.

What are the OACP vision requirements?

The Constable Selection System standard, as published by the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police (Hearing and Vision Requirements, updated July 2023), sets a minimum of 6/6 (20/20) acuity with both eyes open, corrected or uncorrected. If correction is needed to reach 6/6, uncorrected acuity must still be at least 6/12 (20/40) with both eyes open. Hyperopia under cycloplegic examination must not exceed +2.00 D spheroequivalent in the least hyperopic eye. Colour vision must be normal on an approved screening test. Peripheral vision is measured formally, not by confrontation. Applicants must also be free of eye disease that impairs vision, may cause sudden incapacitation, or is progressive and likely to impair vision. The standard is the OACP's, not ours - we measure against it and record the result.

Can I wear glasses or contact lenses and still pass the OACP vision test?

Yes, provided your uncorrected vision also clears a floor. The standard is 6/6 (20/20) with both eyes open, and correction is allowed to get there - but if you need correction, your uncorrected acuity must still be at least 6/12 (20/40) with both eyes open. That second number is the one applicants tend not to know about. Bring your current glasses or contact lenses to the appointment, because the assessment is done as you would actually be working.

Can I wear orthokeratology (ortho-K) lenses and apply to be a police officer in Ontario?

No. The OACP vision standard lists orthokeratology as not allowed, alongside corneal transplants and intra-stromal corneal rings. This is worth knowing before you start rather than after: ortho-K works by reshaping the cornea overnight, and the effect is reversible, so stopping means a period of shifting vision while the cornea returns to its own shape. If a policing application is anywhere in your plans, raise it at the fitting stage. Laser refractive surgery and intraocular lens implants are treated differently and are permitted with documentation.

What colour vision test does the OACP require?

Colour vision must be normal on one of the approved screening tests - the 24 or 38 plate Ishihara, Hardy Rand Rittler 4th or 5th edition, Waggoner PIP24 or the Waggoner computerized test, or the Innova/Rabin Cone Contrast Test. If an applicant fails or scores borderline, they must then pass the Farnsworth D-15 or Waggoner Diagnostic D15. One rule catches people out: colour vision must be assessed without colour-corrective lenses. EnChroma, X-Chrom, Chromagen and Vino lenses cannot be worn for the test.

What if I lose my OACP vision assessment form or receipt?

Contact us and we can reissue both the Vision Assessment Form and the receipt, and help make sure they end up in your application. Losing the paperwork does not mean repeating the assessment.

Is the OACP vision assessment covered by OHIP?

No. OHIP does not cover assessments performed for an employment application. The OACP Vision Assessment is $275, and Stage II Night Vision Testing, if required, is a further $118.

OACP Police Services Vision Test

Need an OACP Vision Test for Your Police Application?

Vision Assessments for Police Applicants — Same-week spots. Downtown Toronto. Paperwork done right.

Spadina Optometry is authorized to perform Vision Assessment of Police Constable Applicants including Stage II Night Vision Testing (if required).

Don't worry about printing the OACP Medical Examination Package. The Medical Examination Package is 11 pages long, and most candidates only need the Vision Assessment Form. We will provide you with copies of the Vision Assessment Form. The Vision Assessment Form is valid for a period of 2 years. The Applicant is also required to attach the appointment receipt/invoice when submitting this to the Police Service. We'll make sure we provide you the required documents (Assessment Forms and receipt) for your application.

OACP Vision Assessment Fees

The OACP Vision Assessment costs $275. The OACP Vision Assessment is valid for a period of two (2) years after. If you lose or misplace the files, we can provide you the Vision Assessment Form and receipt and can help make sure they are part of your application.

Stage II Night Vision Testing must be performed if you have had refractive surgery — corneal or intra-ocular lens — within the past 6 months. It is done in addition to the standard vision assessment, and the fee is $118. If you have not had refractive surgery in that window, it does not apply to you.

The OACP vision standard

The standard is set by the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police, not by us. In the OACP's own words, applicants must meet “both 20/40 without corrective lenses and 20/20 with corrective lenses.”

That first number is the one applicants tend not to know about. Glasses and contact lenses are allowed — but if you need them to reach 20/20, your uncorrected vision still has to clear 20/40 with both eyes open. Bring your current glasses or contacts to the appointment; the assessment is done as you would actually be working.

The published package (Hearing and Vision Requirements, updated July 2023) also sets:

Farsightedness — hyperopia under cycloplegic examination must not exceed +2.00 D spheroequivalent in the least hyperopic eye.
Colour vision — normal on an approved screening test (Ishihara, Hardy Rand Rittler, Waggoner, or Rabin Cone Contrast), with the Farnsworth D-15 as the follow-up if screening is failed or borderline. It must be tested without colour-corrective lenses — EnChroma, X-Chrom, Chromagen and Vino cannot be worn.
Peripheral vision — measured formally by perimetry, not by confrontation.
Eye alignment — deviations beyond the set limits at distance or near require supporting documentation.
Eye health — free from disease that impairs vision, could cause sudden incapacitation, or is progressive and likely to impair vision.

Stage II Night Vision Testing

Required if you have had refractive surgery within the previous six months. Not every optometry practice performs it — the OACP publishes a list of optometrists in Ontario who do, organised by zone. Spadina Optometry appears on it under Dr. Kristin Heeney, O.D.

What the test measures

It is contrast and low-light acuity testing, done binocularly on Bailey-Lovie or ETDRS charts. The OACP sets the protocol out in its Guidelines for Vision Specialists, and it runs in two tiers.

Screening. A 25% Weber contrast chart at normal room illumination. Read the 0.10 logMAR (6/7.5) line with every letter correct and you meet the standard — no further testing. Candidates who don't, and anyone whose procedure wasn't laser corneal refractive surgery, go on to the full set.

The full set. Three tests, of which at least two must be met:

Low contrast (25% Weber), photopic — at least 0.20 logMAR (6/9)
High contrast (over 85% Weber), mesopic — at least 0.30 logMAR (6/12)
Low contrast (25% Weber), mesopic — at least 0.58 logMAR (6/22.5)

Dim conditions aren't created by turning the lights down. The charts are viewed through welding goggles fitted with a Shade 6 filter — transmitting between 1% and 0.4% of the light — after five minutes of adaptation with the filter in place. That repeatability is the point: every applicant is measured under the same light.

Refractive surgery

Corneal refractive surgery, pseudophakic intraocular lenses, and phakic intraocular lens implants are all permitted, though supporting documentation from the treating specialist may be required. Timing matters: if surgery was within the previous six months there is a mandatory 30-day post-operative wait before the assessment can be done, and the OACP asks to be told so they can direct you on next steps.

If you do not meet the standard

The OACP's own guidance is that some applicants who fall short have refractive surgery to improve their vision, and that you should ask your optometrist whether you are an eligible candidate — because not everyone is. Candidacy depends on your prescription, corneal thickness and shape, tear film, and eye health. Our optometrists assess suitability and co-manage refractive surgery, so you can have that conversation at the same visit rather than starting over somewhere else.

Vision only — not hearing

Applicants usually search for “OACP hearing and vision test” as one thing, because the application treats it as one medical step. It is two assessments, done by two different professions.

We do the vision assessment. We do not do the hearing test, and you will need to arrange that separately. The hearing side runs in stages — an audiogram first, then QuickSIN, then the Hearing in Noise Test (HINT) if required — and in Toronto the HINT is done at AudioSense in Yorkville. Plan for two appointments rather than one.

On the standard itself: the vision requirement is set by the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police and published in the OACP Medical Examination Package, not by us. At the appointment your vision is measured and recorded on the form against that standard. Nobody can tell you in advance whether you will meet it without testing you. Bring your glasses or contact lenses — the standard is assessed as you would be working.

Common questions

Where can I get an OACP vision assessment in Toronto?: Spadina Optometry is authorized to perform the Vision Assessment of Police Constable Applicants, including Stage II Night Vision Testing when it is required. The clinic is at 477 Richmond St W, Suite 809, in downtown Toronto, near King and Spadina and on the 504 King and 510 Spadina streetcar lines.
Can I go to any optometrist for the OACP vision assessment?: Yes. The OACP states there is no pre-approved list of providers, so you may complete the medical examination package with your preferred optometrist or ophthalmologist, provided they are located in Canada. Two limits are worth knowing: a family doctor cannot complete the package, and neither can a military doctor - the vision assessment must be done by an optometrist or ophthalmologist, and the hearing assessment by an audiologist or hearing instrument specialist. That is why the two halves are booked separately.
How much does the OACP vision assessment cost?: The OACP Vision Assessment is $275. Stage II Night Vision Testing, when required, is an additional $118. Neither is covered by OHIP, because this is an assessment for an employment application rather than a medical eye examination.
How long is the OACP Vision Assessment Form valid?: Two years from the date your practitioner signs it, per the OACP. Note that this is separate from the OACP Certificate itself, which is valid for one year - applicants often conflate the two and assume the vision assessment expires with the certificate. If your application runs past the two years, the assessment has to be repeated.
Do I need to print the whole OACP Medical Examination Package?: No. The OACP Medical Examination Package is 11 pages, and most candidates only need the Vision Assessment Form out of it. We provide copies of the Vision Assessment Form at your appointment, so there is nothing you need to print or bring.
Do I need night vision testing for my OACP application?: Only if you have had refractive surgery. The OACP calls it Stage II Night Vision Testing and publishes a list of optometrists in Ontario who perform it; Spadina Optometry appears on that list under Dr. Kristin Heeney. On the Vision Assessment Form the entire pathway sits behind one question in Section A: has the applicant ever had refractive surgery, corneal or intra-ocular lens. Answer no and you skip the rest. Answer yes, and if the surgery was within the previous six months, there is a mandatory 30-day post-operative waiting period before the assessment can be done at all, after which additional testing (Appendix 3 of the OACP’s Vision Guidelines) is required. The form separately asks whether you have a history of visible corneal haze, cataracts, or night vision difficulties - if any of those apply, the OACP asks to be contacted directly for further documentation. At Spadina Optometry the additional testing is $118 on top of the $275 assessment.
What does OACP Stage II night vision testing involve?: It is contrast and low-light acuity testing, done binocularly, using Bailey-Lovie or ETDRS charts. The OACP sets it out in its Guidelines for Vision Specialists, and the design is tiered. The first level is a screening test on a 25% Weber contrast chart at normal room illumination: read the 0.10 logMAR (6/7.5) line with every letter correct and you meet the standard with no further testing. Anyone who does not, and anyone whose surgery was not laser corneal refractive surgery, goes on to the full set of three tests. Mesopic (dim) conditions are not simulated by dimming the lights - the charts are viewed through welding goggles fitted with a Shade 6 filter, transmitting between 1% and 0.4% of the light, after five minutes of adaptation with the filter in place.
What is the OACP night vision standard?: An applicant must meet the minimum on at least two of three tests, all measured binocularly, with or without glasses or contact lenses. Low contrast (25% Weber) in photopic conditions requires at least 0.20 logMAR, equivalent to 6/9. High contrast (over 85% Weber) in mesopic conditions requires at least 0.30 logMAR, or 6/12. Low contrast (25% Weber) in mesopic conditions requires at least 0.58 logMAR, or 6/22.5. Two of the three must be met, not all three. The OACP notes that applicants who fail the resolution tests have also been shown to have increased sensitivity to glare.
What documentation do I need after LASIK or PRK for my OACP application?: If you have had PRK, LASIK, SBK, LASEK, LTK, SMILE or any other laser-assisted corneal refractive surgery within the previous six months, the OACP requires documented proof that your vision has stabilised. That means two examinations at least 21 days apart, each recording uncorrected monocular acuity, corrected monocular acuity, and subjective refraction. Acuity between the two visits must agree within three letters, and refraction within 0.50 dioptre for both the spherical and cylindrical components. The documentation must also confirm that all post-surgical drugs have been discontinued, with the exception of over-the-counter artificial tears. Night vision is assessed only once refraction is confirmed stable.
Where can I get Stage II night vision testing for the OACP in Ontario?: The OACP publishes a list of optometrists in Ontario who perform Stage II Night Vision Testing, organised by zone. Spadina Optometry appears on that list under Dr. Kristin Heeney, O.D., at 477 Richmond Street West, Suite 809 in downtown Toronto. Not every optometry practice offers this testing, so it is worth confirming against the OACP’s list before booking - if you have had refractive surgery within the previous six months, this is the testing your application will need in addition to the standard vision assessment.
What do I have to submit to the police service with my vision assessment?: Two things: the completed Vision Assessment Form, and the receipt or invoice from the appointment. The receipt is a requirement, not an optional extra, and it is the piece applicants most often forget. We provide both documents so you leave with a complete submission.
Does Spadina Optometry do the OACP hearing test?: No. We perform the vision assessment only. Applicants search for the two together because the application treats them as one medical step, but they are separate assessments done by different professions. The hearing side runs in stages - an audiogram first, then QuickSIN, then the Hearing in Noise Test (HINT) if required - and in Toronto the HINT is done at AudioSense in Yorkville. Booking with us covers the Vision Assessment Form and nothing beyond it, so plan for two appointments rather than one.
What are the OACP vision requirements?: The Constable Selection System standard, as published by the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police (Hearing and Vision Requirements, updated July 2023), sets a minimum of 6/6 (20/20) acuity with both eyes open, corrected or uncorrected. If correction is needed to reach 6/6, uncorrected acuity must still be at least 6/12 (20/40) with both eyes open. Hyperopia under cycloplegic examination must not exceed +2.00 D spheroequivalent in the least hyperopic eye. Colour vision must be normal on an approved screening test. Peripheral vision is measured formally, not by confrontation. Applicants must also be free of eye disease that impairs vision, may cause sudden incapacitation, or is progressive and likely to impair vision. The standard is the OACP’s, not ours - we measure against it and record the result.
Can I wear glasses or contact lenses and still pass the OACP vision test?: Yes, provided your uncorrected vision also clears a floor. The standard is 6/6 (20/20) with both eyes open, and correction is allowed to get there - but if you need correction, your uncorrected acuity must still be at least 6/12 (20/40) with both eyes open. That second number is the one applicants tend not to know about. Bring your current glasses or contact lenses to the appointment, because the assessment is done as you would actually be working.
What if I do not meet the OACP vision standard?: The OACP addresses this directly: some applicants who do not meet the vision standard undergo refractive eye surgery to improve their vision, and they advise asking your optometrist or ophthalmologist whether you are an eligible candidate, because not everyone is. Candidacy depends on your prescription, corneal thickness and shape, tear film, and eye health - it is a clinical assessment, not a formality. If you have already had surgery within the previous six months, the OACP asks to be told so they can direct you on next steps. Our optometrists assess suitability and co-manage refractive surgery, so this is a conversation you can have at the same visit.
Can I wear orthokeratology (ortho-K) lenses and apply to be a police officer in Ontario?: No. The OACP vision standard lists orthokeratology as not allowed, alongside corneal transplants and intra-stromal corneal rings. This is worth knowing before you start rather than after: ortho-K works by reshaping the cornea overnight, and the effect is reversible, so stopping means a period of shifting vision while the cornea returns to its own shape. If a policing application is anywhere in your plans, raise it at the fitting stage. Laser refractive surgery and intraocular lens implants are treated differently and are permitted with documentation.
Does the OACP allow laser eye surgery or LASIK?: Yes. Corneal refractive surgery, pseudophakic intraocular lenses, and phakic intraocular lens implants are all permitted, though the OACP may require supporting documentation from the treating specialist. Timing matters: if the surgery was within the previous six months there is a mandatory 30-day post-operative waiting period before the vision assessment can be done at all, and additional documentation is required. A history of visible corneal haze, cataracts, or night vision difficulties also triggers a further submission to the OACP.
What colour vision test does the OACP require?: Colour vision must be normal on one of the approved screening tests - the 24 or 38 plate Ishihara, Hardy Rand Rittler 4th or 5th edition, Waggoner PIP24 or the Waggoner computerized test, or the Innova/Rabin Cone Contrast Test. If an applicant fails or scores borderline, they must then pass the Farnsworth D-15 or Waggoner Diagnostic D15. One rule catches people out: colour vision must be assessed without colour-corrective lenses. EnChroma, X-Chrom, Chromagen and Vino lenses cannot be worn for the test.
What if I lose my OACP vision assessment form or receipt?: Contact us and we can reissue both the Vision Assessment Form and the receipt, and help make sure they end up in your application. Losing the paperwork does not mean repeating the assessment.
Is the OACP vision assessment covered by OHIP?: No. OHIP does not cover assessments performed for an employment application. The OACP Vision Assessment is $275, and Stage II Night Vision Testing, if required, is a further $118.

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