Frequently Asked Questions

1. My child passed the school screening test. Why should I bother taking her to the optometrist?

Vision screenings are an important and helpful method to determine some basic vision problems, but they shouldn’t take the place of your child’s regular eye exam. Often screenings test only visual acuity (the ability to see clearly at near and far). While this is certainly worthwhile, parents should ensure their children have a complete optometric examination. It is estimated that screening for visual acuity alone generally detects about 30% of children who would fail some part of a complete optometric examination. Vision screenings are important, but they are only part of the picture.

2. When should I bring my child for a first eye exam?

If your child exhibits signs of an eye turn or anything unusual, schedule an examination as soon as you notice it. But if your child’s eyes appear normal, and his or her visual behaviour is normal, a first eye examination at age 2-3 is recommended. The exam is different than one for an older child or adult; in fact it’s actually quite fun for the child. An optometrist can accurately evaluate the child’s vision without using the standard procedures you’ve experienced. Every child should absolutely be examined before starting kindergarten. BC Medical Services Plan authorizes a yearly optometric examination for children under the age of 18.

3. How do I know where to go for laser surgery to correct my vision?

Your optometrist is the best place to start. You should have a complete optometric examination to determine your ocular health and the nature of your vision. The doctor will provide appropriate, accurate and informed answers to your questions about surgery. She will be able to tell if you’re a good candidate, which procedure would best suit your visual needs (there are several), and what the probable outcome will be. Since we have no financial interest in any one centre, you will be referred to the location with the best track record for the procedure recommended for you. After the surgery we will then provide your post-operative follow-up care.

4. Aren’t glasses more expensive from an optometrist?

A national survey, reported in Consumer Report Magazine showed that optometrists were consistently lower in price than optical stores, large chains and even many discount stores. When polled on the value of their eyewear purchases, patients who got their glasses from a private office gave significantly higher ratings of "value" than those who purchased from an optical store or chain. Optometrists typically do not have the burden of expensive retail rental space, nor do they support costly advertising campaigns. The dispensing services are not the only source of income, allowing the markup of frames and lenses to be less than most retailers. At VisionArts, we are committed to providing our patients with the highest quality and best value eyewear services available anywhere. We provide a uniform, and reasonable pricing policy, without sales or gimmicks - when your glasses need replacing, few of us have the luxury of waiting for a "sale".

5. Aren’t contact lenses more expensive from an optometrist?

It depends whether you measure price or value. Contacts lenses are a class III FDA medical device, meaning they have a strong potential for causing adverse affects if improperly fit or worn. Our clinic strongly feels that contact lenses must be treated as much more than just a cosmetic article, and truly treated as a "medical device". We perform numerous tests prior to fitting a lens to ensure proper fit, vision, and comfort. All of our patients receive professional training on the wearing and handling of their new lenses. Of utmost importance to the enduring good health of the eyes, are ongoing progress evaluations to ensure the lenses continue to provide clear vision, good comfort, and are not irritating or otherwise harming the eyes.

"One size fits all" contacts are available, and some people can wear these comfortably and without problems. However, we feel your eyes are far to valuable to risk on poorly fitting contacts, and all our patients deserve the absolute best products and services. The same Consumer’s Report article listed above, compared the cost of a variety of contacts obtained through optometrists and mail order suppliers. With their membership fees, shipping and handling charges, etc., the mail order firms were no cheaper, and in fact were often more expensive than the optometrist.

So, to answer the question, yes there are some contacts available for less. However, we feel the quality of the lenses, accuracy of the fit, comfort and health of the eyes make the value far better in the long run to obtain contacts from an optometrist.

6. Why do optometrists dispense eyeglasses anyway?

As well as an extensive range of oculo-visual diagnostic services, optometrists provide a broad array of treatment services - based on their diagnostic findings. This system, called unified service is the most efficient and effective for providing total vision care. The concept of unified service is not unique to the profession of optometry and is the most reliable method of delivering services. The same practitioner is responsible, from beginning to end, for all phases of care provided to you. The comprehensive nature of the service allows the patient to rely on a qualified professional to provide a diagnosis, and where necessary, to follow through and provide treatment services and assess the effectiveness of that treatment. For example, your dentist will diagnose a patient with tooth pain as having a cavity, then proceeding to fill it. A surgeon might recommend surgery as the best treatment for a condition, then provide that service to the patient.

7. Will I still need to see a specialist after seeing an optometrist?

No, optometrists are fully trained in the identification and diagnosis of all visual conditions and disorders of the eye. The doctors in our clinic have the most up to date diagnostic equipment available, and are capable of testing for the full range of eye diseases. Optometrists do not perform surgery, so if a medical condition requiring treatment is found, the patient will be referred to either their family doctor or an ophthalmologist (ophthalmic surgeon) when appropriate.

8. Why do they ask, "which lens is better, 1 or 2?" I can hardly see a difference and I’m worried that if I give a wrong answer I’ll get the wrong prescription in my glasses.

No you can’t give a wrong answer and it is the optometrists duty to determine your prescription not yours. A typical exam constitutes over twenty measurements of your eyes and vision, many of these are objective, meaning no response is required from the patient. The "one or two" part is only a portion of what your optometrist does to determine your final spectacle prescription. Most of the questions about "which is better" are to confirm other measurements already taken, and all are double checked in some way. So please relax, just answer as best you can, and remember, it’s ok to say that they look the same.. sometimes they are!