Hi gang.....

Stupid question time again, but has anyone used opticians in Canada....is the process the same as the UK, with prescriptions, etc, etc...

Thanks

Brian

Think it's pretty much the same the world over.... The last pair of glasses I had, I got a prescription in the UK and then ordered my glasses from an online optician in Hong Kong....

I don't know what an eye exam costs as I've never had one here. They do take UK prescriptions though, so if you've got a current one, bring it. I used my UK Asda one in a Wal-Mart optician here and was expecting all sorts of trouble but they didn't bat an eyelid and dispensed without question

I pay $85 for the exam now its not covered by the province.


I dont need glasses, but one thing I am aware of is that not all opticians will make glasses to someone elses prescription, some will only make lenses to their own exam results...I forget the reasons for this, but its something to do with how they are licensed perhaps... Best check in advance I suppose. Labs vs not labs or something?

We pay $75 for an eye examination here in Calgary. The fee is not covered by AB health but you can take your prescription anywhere to get your glasses made up. We used Lenscrafters for mine and OH went to Sears. One other tip - before you shop for glasses, check out the relevant shops website - they often have money off coupons which helps as glasses are not cheap!

My glasses (Versace) were $200 - cheap I thought, my lenses however were $550 - I am mildly short sighted and never bought any of the extras like scratch care etc.

Hubby needed reading glasses, his frames (Rayban) were $149 but the lenses, again very mild prescription, were $280!

ps. forgot to add, I buy my contact lenses online from vision direct, they are much cheaper as they come from the States!

My health plan with work coughs up $250 every two years towards contact lenses or glasses, but not eye tests. Handy.

Alberta health will cover the eye exam for kids though. Not sure what age but probably under 18. At least they did a year ago when my 10 year old (at the time) had her eyes checked.

Yep, Im in the same boat. If I needed glasses, they would pay for the exam, but as I dont (so far) they wont. Something I bitch to HR about when the opportunity arises.

They don't pay for inoculations either, so the shots for our cruise are going to cost about $300 a head! Hepatitis A&B alone is $195 each! Anyone know a way around this? Can you get them prescribed?

Link?

You could go without and make them pay for treatment once you get sick

The thought had occured to me, but Hepatitis is for life, not just for an extended Xmas

Yeah, not a perfect solution is it.

Iain - I would try asking the doc - he/she may prescribe them for you....

We will ask, but Ive a feeling it wont help if its not on my insurers approved list of medications that they will pay for.

I could pretend to be gay I suppose...they are in a high risk group and get it for free...

http://www.optical4less.com