+ What should I bring?

If you are planning to get a prescription product made from us, the most important item is the eyeglasses prescription from your optometrist. We highly recommend you bring a prescription that's within two years of the previous examination date.

If you are under government assistance and know that you are elligible for coverage, we require your personal health number as well.

+ Do I have to make an appointment?

No! Appointments are preferred to ensure time with us, but you are welcome to drop-in during our business hours.

If you're unsure what day you are availiable: On the day you decide to come in, you can also call to ask for any openings.

+ Do you direct bill for personal insurance?

Currently, we only direct bill for Pacific Blue Cross.

If you are not with Pacific Blue Cross, you can pay the full amount for eyewear/contact lenses and we will give you an Optical Claim Receipt you may use to submit to your insurance company.

+ My glasses broke or need adjustment, can you fix them?

Yes, depending on the damage and parts needed, we charge up to $10 donation that goes to BC Children's Hospital.

If we cannot fix your glasses, we can refer you to a more specialized repair service and weigh the options based on cost and urgency.

+ Do you do eye exams here?

We do not do eye health exams at this time. There is not an optometrist at our location, so contact your local optometrist.

+ Can I use my own frame and put new lenses in them?

Yes, we can definitely order new lenses and put them into a frame!

If the frame has been used previously, be aware that there is a small risk in the frame breaking. However, if you come in to the store, we can assess the frame and give a recommendation.

+ What is the turn-around time?

Eyeglasses typically take around 2 weeks to complete, as long as it passes quality control checks.

Contact lens supplies take about 1 week to arrive.

Specialty lenses or backordered products may take longer, and we will inform you about delays.

+ What is a contact lens fitting?

Contact lens fittings are done by a licensed contact lens fitter or optometrist and it is used to convert glasses prescription into one usable for contact lenses. We assess the corneal surface curvature of your eyes to ensure that the sizing of a specific brand/model is suitable for you, as well as maximizing material compatability between the lenses and your eyes.

In addition, we also train you to insert and remove the lenses if necessary, to ensure that any lenses we provide will be used with compliance in order to reduce any chances of damage to your eyes.

+ Are contact lenses right for me?

Many people requiring vision correction can wear contact lenses without any problems or complications. New materials and lens care technologies have made today’s contact lenses more comfortable, safer and easier to wear. Consider the following to help assess whether they’re a choice you might consider.

+ How do contact lenses work?

Contact lenses are designed to rest on the cornea, the clear outer surface of the eye. They are held in place mainly by adhering to the tear film that covers the front of the eye and, to a lesser extent, by pressure from the eyelids.

As the eyelid blinks, it glides over the surface of the contact lens and causes it to move slightly. This movement allows the tears to provide necessary lubrication to the cornea and helps flush away debris between the cornea and the contact lens.

+ Are there alternatives to wearing glasses?

Are there special occasions when you would prefer not to wear glasses? Do you find glasses get in the way when you play sports? Contact lenses can be used intermittently — for special occasions, while participating in sports or to match your fashion style – while glasses may suit your every day needs better for activities like work or school.

• Single-use, one-day disposable contact lenses are comfortable and easy to use. They do not require cleaning, you simply throw them away daily after each use.
• For those involved in sports and recreational activities, contact lenses offer a number of advantages. In addition to providing good peripheral vision, eliminating the problem of foggy or rain splattered lenses, and freeing you from worries about broken glasses, contact lenses also mean you can wear non-prescription protective eye wear.