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Exam type | Typical Vancouver cost | Coverage |
Adult comprehensive exam (19–64) | $120–$180 | Extended health plans; direct billing available |
Child’s exam (under 19) | $0 | Fully covered by MSP, once per year |
Senior’s medically necessary visit (65+) | Varies | MSP contributes; extended plans often cover the rest |
Diabetic eye exam | $0 for eligible visits | MSP covers medically necessary diabetic exams at any age |
Eye emergency visit | $0 for eligible visits | MSP covers urgent medical eye care for all ages |
Contact lens fitting (add-on) | Varies by complexity | Often covered by extended health plans |
• Children under 19 — MSP covers a full routine exam every year, no referral needed. Book a kids’ exam
• People with diabetes — medically necessary retinal exams are MSP-covered at any age. Learn about diabetic eye care
• Eye emergencies — pink eye, foreign bodies, sudden flashes or floaters and other urgent visits are typically MSP-covered. Same-day urgent care
• Patients with eligible medical conditions — MSP contributes to medically required visits for glaucoma, retinal disease and similar diagnoses; our front desk confirms your eligibility before you’re seen
Not all exams are equal, and price alone doesn’t tell you what you’re getting. A basic sight test measures your prescription and little else. A comprehensive exam at our clinic includes automated pre-testing, a full refraction, no-touch eye pressure measurement, binocular vision assessment, and Optomap ultra-widefield retinal imaging with OCT — the imaging that finds glaucoma, retinal tears and diabetic changes before symptoms start. At many clinics, retinal imaging alone is a $50+ add-on. When comparing prices, ask two questions: is retinal imaging included, and how much time is booked with the doctor?
• Check your renewal cycle — most plans refresh eye care benefits every 12 or 24 months; book just after renewal to maximize coverage
• Use expiring benefits before December 31 — fall books up fast, so reserve early
• Combine family visits — kids’ exams are MSP-covered, so pair them with your own extended-health-covered exam in one trip
• Split large purchases across benefit years when your plan allows — our team can time eyewear orders accordingly
• Keep receipts — detailed receipts support claims for health spending accounts and secondary plans
Exam fees are only part of the picture. Eyewear varies widely with frames and lens technology — and our in-house lab means no outsourced lab markup on many jobs, with same-day turnaround for most single-vision prescriptions. Contact lens fittings are priced by complexity, myopia management programs include ongoing monitoring, and dry eye treatments like IPL are quoted after your diagnostic workup. For larger costs, financing options let you spread payments over time.
Yes — financing options let you spread the cost of specialty lens programs, dry eye treatment packages and premium eyewear over manageable monthly payments, with quick approval. Ask our front desk for details at your visit.