5 Best Opticians in Ottawa
If you’ve ever lost or accidentally broke your eyeglasses, you know how frustrating the feeling can be. That’s why it’s good to have the best opticians in Ottawa on speed dial or have their information saved on your phone.
We listed our most recommended Ottawan opticians here, along with the usual costs of common optician services. Should you have other questions, you might find the answers in our FAQ section at the end of this listicle.
How Much Do Opticians Charge in Ottawa?
There are several factors that will influence how much you’ll pay at opticians’ clinics in Ottawa. These include the specific service, your age, eye health, and the kind of eyewear or vision aid you’ll be requiring.
Aside from lens refraction and fitting, the kind of eyewear frame you choose can influence your final invoice. Designer eyewear is definitely pricier than non-designer ones.
It’s also good practice to consult your insurance policy for eye care coverage and if certain vision aids are included.
The Best Opticians in Ottawa
We rounded up the opticians in Ottawa in this listicle based on the following factors:
1. Albert Opticians
With over four decades of experience in precision optics, Albert Opticians can offer clients what it calls “fashion-forward eyewear” mixed with comprehensive eye examinations and state-of-the-art equipment.
It offers visual tests for patients that include digital refraction, tonometry, fundus imaging, and digital keratometry. Those who require consultation and professional fitting for contact lenses can also see any of its team of opticians and optometrists.
Albert Opticians can work with other eye doctors and fulfill patient requests for OCT scanning or visual field evaluations. Its clinic uses innovative devices to simplify visual assessments and speed up the process.
It uses Zeiss Visufit technology to ensure that lenses are optimally designed in accordance with the wearer’s lifestyle, facial anatomy, and style preferences.
Furthermore, the clinic’s eyewear collection is exclusive to clients in the Greater Ottawa and Gatineau areas.
The downside? They don’t come with pricing information in the online catalogue, so you’ll have to call them up or visit them in-store for that.
Pros
- Comprehensive eye exams
- Four decades of optician experience
- Exclusive eyewear collection
- State-of-the-art lens refraction technology
Cons
- Doesn’t provide pricing info on eyeglasses
- No clinic on Sundays
- No BBB accreditation
Customer Reviews
Took care to ensure glasses were perfect
“Want to thank the staff of Albert’s for the care they took in ensuring that my glasses were perfect. Through no fault of their’s my lenses were a challenge to grind and fit into my frames. They wouldn’t accept anything less than perfection from the lenses manufacturer. Thanks.” – Don Ackles
The store for fabulous stylish glasses in Ottawa
“Albert Opticians is THE store for fabulous stylish glasses in Ottawa. And the service is unequalled! I have been a customer for close to 15 years. Violet is amazing. People stop me on the street or at events to ask where I’ve purchased my glasses almost every time I go out … true story!” – Marie Robertson
2. Eyemaxx Optical Studio
Eyemaxx Optical Studio doesn’t want its clients to feel like shopping for eyeglasses is a chore. Aside from offering a wide array of eyewear brands, it also offers comprehensive eye exams.
It welcomes new patients (who are contact lens wearers) for full eye exams at $160 and charges previous patients $140. Children and seniors can have eye exams and other optical services at Eyemaxx, as well.
Contact lenses can be ordered in several ways: by calling or visiting the eye studio, or filling out the appropriate form on the website. Eyemaxx carries a variety of contact lens types ranging from daily to bi-weekly wear.
There’s a good range of eyewear frames to choose from to fit any personality, lifestyle, face shape, and budget. And we love that the shop does home deliveries for its lenses and eyeglasses.
We just wish there’s a quick-reference catalogue that includes the price ranges for these frames and not just links to the brand’s own websites.
Pros
- Caters to patients young and old
- Open seven days a week
- Reasonably priced comprehensive eye exams
- Does home deliveries
Cons
- Confusing operating hours
- Doesn’t provide pricing info on designer frames
- No BBB accreditation
Customer Reviews
Staff always listens to questions and concerns
“Whenever I visit Eyemaxx, I always feel welcomed from the moment I enter. During each visit, the staff always listens to my questions and/or concerns very carefully and they are always so kind! I recently purchased new prescription lenses for my sunglasses and I love them! I highly recommend Eyemaxx Optical Studio for all your vision needs! Friendly staff and excellent service!” – Victoria Aho
Friendly staff, quality eye care
“Quality eye care. The friendly staff went above and beyond to fix my old glasses. Would go again for any issue. Five stars!” – Ellesom Anderson
3. Laurier Optical
Laurier Optical has been around since 1985 and has grown into 22 locations across Ontario and Quebec. Aside from carrying a good range of eyewear brands, it offers eye exams, as well.
Fashion-conscious clients who are also budget-conscious would be happy to know that Laurier Optical has regular discounts and promos on its eyewear and services. As of this writing, there’s a promotion offering 50% off on frames with a free blue light coating protection, with the second pair at 80% off!
Its lens options come with different warranties with basic ones being covered for six months. On the other hand, Dura Strong lenses come with a two-year warranty and Crizal ones have a full-year coverage.
Laurier Optical offers a four-step online appointment booking for its dozens of locations. We tried it, and it did give several options for branches, optometrists, and available dates and times, which is pretty convenient.
Pros
- 22 locations throughout Ontario and Quebec
- Eye exams offered
- Good range of eyewear brands
- Offers promos and discounts on eyewear
Cons
- Basic lenses only have a six-month warranty
- Open on weekdays only
- No BBB accreditation
Customer Reviews
Very helpful staff
“Very helpful staff. The Vice President of Operations went out of his way to get me my glasses, despite the concern for COVID-19. I was very pleased!” – Alex Michelle
Accommodating with warmth understanding
“Very accommodating with warmth understanding, and listens what I need to get it fixed promptly. Could not ask for better service anywhere else.” – Bernadette Cardanio
4. eyeDOCS Ottawa
Having half a dozen branches in Ottawa gives eyeDOCs clients the convenience of getting their eyewear from the location closest to them. It can also accommodate optometry services for those who need comprehensive eye exams.
If you broke or lost your glasses, you’ll be happy to know that eyeDOCS offers a same-day eyeglasses service. It’s got an on-site laboratory that can accommodate single-vision prescriptions from Monday to Friday.
The shop has several discounts to offer loyal clients and their family members, too. There’s a 20% discount on the second pair of glasses for you or someone in your family, and a further 10% discount on additional pairs.
As for its contact lens service, it carries everything from coloured contacts to daily and monthly disposables. eyeDOCS also offers free shipping for most contact lens purchases (though this has to be verified first with the branch).
We just wish the shop also featured the prices on the designer frames they carry so we can compare them with other brands and stores that have them, as well.
Pros
- Offers comprehensive eye exams
- Same-day eyeglasses service
- Six branches in Ottawa
- Free shipping for most contact lens purchases
Cons
- Confusing operating hours
- Open on weekdays only
- No BBB accreditation
Customer Reviews
Dr. Dylan Chase is great with children
“Fantastic place! So happy with our experience during this time of covid. Spotlessly clean. Dr.Dylan Chase is great with children I couldn’t recommend enough! Will be customers for life!” – Tara-Billy Monette
Excellent care, huge selection of frames
“Thorough and personal service paired with excellent care and a huge selection of frames for all, including my young children!” – Amanda Curtis
5. Eyes in the Glebe
Eyes in the Glebe is an optical centre that offers a full range of eye-related services. Clients can get their eyewear and contacts fitted here, as well as ask for a comprehensive exam and eye consultation.
If you notice the lack of designer eyewear brands on its website, it’s because the clinic specializes in independent eyewear. These are hand-made models that are limited in production and are tailor-made for the wearer.
And if you’re wondering if it accommodates children (based on the fun and cartoony website it has), yes it does. It’s got a specific service for children’s vision and vision therapy for kids as young as six months old!
If you’ve got tired eyes, Eyes in the Glebe can check them for computer vision syndrome and prescribe some progressive enhanced reader lenses. It has OCT (optical coherence tomography) scans and retinal imaging on the menu, as well.
And if you have special fitting needs for your contact lens or want to switch from wearing glasses to lenses, Eyes in the Glebe can help you out, too. It can offer several specialty contact lens options to enhance depth perception, reading vision, and overall clearer vision.
We just wish there’s a pricing guide somewhere on the website, but inquiries are always welcome at the shop.
Pros
- Full range of eye-related services
- Delivers contact lens purchases to clients
- Specializes in independent eyewear
- Can accommodate kids as young as six months old
Cons
- Doesn’t provide a pricing guide
- Open on weekdays only
- No BBB accreditation
Customer Reviews
The whole team has the expertise and esthetic skills
“Just to let the Ottawa region know what a fantastic experience I had at Eyes in the Glebe! I experienced the most thorough eye exam that I’ve ever had and their recommendations regarding my eye health will probably change my life. I’m almost 60 and have been wearing glasses since age 6 so I’ve been in A LOT of different eye doctors’ offices in Quebec, Ontario and NorCal and I have to say that this is the best. The bottom line is they’re not going to try to sell you something as they are focused on your health needs. Cannot thank the whole team enough for their expertise and esthetic skills. Go see them!” – Heather M.
Three business days for a beautiful pair of glasses
“Amazing experience at Eyes In the Glebe. Dr. Mithani and his wife were extremely helpful and knowledgeable in choosing a pair of frames that would suit me both aesthetically and in terms of my lifestyle. I visited the store while on a trip to Ottawa (I live near Toronto) and placed my order on a Saturday; I was called by Dr. Mithani on Tuesday afternoon to say that my glasses had been shipped out and they arrived Wednesday morning. That’s it: THREE business days and I had a pair of beautiful eyeglasses at my door. I will be making a point to return to Eyes In the Glebe next time I need a new pair of glasses–small store, but an amazing selection of frames and very comforting.” – Adam A.
FAQs About Opticians in Ottawa
We hope this listicle becomes a useful resource for you to find the best opticians in Ottawa. We’re open to suggestions for other reputable opticians, so feel free to reach out to us.
For other eye-related concerns, we recommend reading the following published posts: