9 Clinics with the Best Optometrists in Ottawa

Are you having difficulties reading from your phone? Have you been rubbing your eyes more frequently, getting blurry visions, or experiencing headaches when working on a computer?

If you answered yes to any of these, it might be time to visit an optometrist. Optometrists—not to be confused with an optician or an ophthalmologist—specialize in eye care and visual health.

We’ll be digging deeper into the differences between these eye doctors later, as well as where to find the best optometrists in Ottawa. But before that, how much will your visit to an optometrist cost?

The Best Optometrists in Ottawa

Now that you’re seen the typical rates included in visiting an optometrist, it’s time to get acquainted with the clinics with the best optometrists in Ottawa. Take note that this list is in no particular order.

1. Merivale Vision Care

SERVICES	Eye and Vision Exams, Vision Therapy, Specialized Services
WEBSITE	https://merivalevisioncare.com/
ADDRESS	8A-1547, Merivale Rd, Ottawa, ON K2G 4V3, Canada
CONTACT DETAILS	Phone: +1 613 226-8446
OPERATING HOURS	Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM Wednesdays: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM Fridays: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Merivale Vision Care offers eye and vision exams and vision therapy. They also have specialized services including sports vision and holistic wellness eye exams.

The holistic wellness eye and vision exam that Merivale Vision Care offers is a comprehensive exam that goes beyond providing a prescription for patients’ glasses. The exam offers lifestyle coaching for eye and visual wellbeing which involves nutrition as well as lifestyle recommendations.

The exam uses the latest digital technology such as optical coherence tomography (OCT), which the optometrist will use to assess the health of their patient’s eyes. The OCT is particularly helpful for the prevention and reduction of destructive eye conditions as the technology uses retinal photography.

Merivale Vision Care also is one of the clinics in Ottawa with the best optometrists. During the eye health evaluation, optometrists will use a microscope to inspect the frontal structures of the eye and add a series of lenses to examine the inside of the eye.

All full eye exams include wide-field digital retinal imaging called an Optomap. OCT scans are utilized when needed as they help patients understand the risk and extent of glaucoma, macular degeneration, and retina diseases.

Repeat patients can also attest to Merivale’s care for their visual needs and wellbeing.

Customer Reviews

A review from Lisa Lewis via Google says:

“Merivale vision care is excellent in everything they do. They have the Covid guidelines done perfectly. No wait to go into a room. I was immediately brought to a room and the doctor showed up right away. They’re very thorough with testing and the doctor was very professional and explained things thoroughly!  I highly recommend them!”

Another review from Dee Careau reads:

“This was truly a pleasant first experience with Merivale Vision Care!  Staff were friendly and very efficient. Dr. Clarke was great and explained what he was looking for and looking at.

I booked my follow-up appointment right away! I definitely recommend them!!”

2. Bastien & Prizant

SERVICES	Emergency Eye Care, Comprehensive Eye Exams, Children’s Eye Care
WEBSITE	https://www.bastienprizantoptometry.com/
ADDRESS	447 Cumberland St, Ottawa, ON K1N 7J8, Canada
CONTACT DETAILS	+1 613 236-6066
OPERATING HOURS	Mondays to Fridays: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Bastien & Prizant is one of the best clinics in Ottawa for services like comprehensive eye exams and children’s eye care. Their accommodating staff is there to help patients find the best fit for their specific needs.

The staff will also help narrow down their large selection of eyeglasses so patients can find the right look, fit, and functionality for them. Bastien & Prizant also makes sure to carry the latest American and European designer eyewear collections in different styles, colours, and materials.

Another service that Bastien & Prizant offers is emergency eye care for cases that require immediate and urgent eye care. They understand that ocular emergencies like foreign bodies, eye infections, and severe allergies can happen at any time and they’re equipped and available to help.

During routine eye exams, Bastien & Prizant optometrists not only determine their patient’s prescription for eyeglasses or contact lenses but will also check their eyes for their overall health.

Customer Reviews

A review from Sherida McKean via Google says:

“The quality of service at Bastien & Prizant is exceptional.  Every time I have an appointment I come away feeling well taken care of, listened to and respected.  Dr. Prizant is caring and professional and always goes above and beyond to ensure my needs are addressed.  His experience and skill at his profession are reflected in the quality of service.  Even after moving to Aylmer and it being a much less convenient we continue to go to the clinic because we are so happy with the service.  All of the staff are also very friendly and accommodating.  I would highly recommend Bastien & Prizant to anyone looking for an eye doctor.”

Another review from LP Hernandez reads:

“I have been going to Dr. Prizant since 2007. I always find him very friendly, and knowledgeable. The staff are nice and efficient. They all go above and beyond for you which is always appreciated. I just moved to the other end of town and although the location is no longer as convenient for me, I will continue to go as long as I can.”

3. Jennifer Winn, Optometrist

SERVICES	Adult and Senior Eye Exam, Pediatric Vision Exam, Contact Lens Evaluation, Specialized Testing
WEBSITE	https://www.winnoptometry.ca/
ADDRESS	300 Eagleson Rd Unit 13, Kanata, ON K2M 1C9, Canada
CONTACT DETAILS	Phone: +1 613 599-6672
OPERATING HOURS	Tuesdays, Thursdays: 11:00 AM – 6:30 PM Wednesdays, Fridays: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Jennifer Winn Optometrist offers general eye care and pediatric eye care. They also offer services for patients looking for contact lenses, retinal imaging, and genetic testing.

The clinic has also made it easy and convenient for their patients to book appointments with optometrists through their website. Services offered range from eye exams for maintaining eye health, checking the alignment and coordination, to eye disorder treatments.

Patients can rest assured that the optometrists have the training and experience to recognize and treat disorders like nearsightedness, farsightedness, glaucoma, and cataracts.

A lot of advances have been made in the field of optometry in recent years, and Winn Optometrist stays informed about the latest techniques and equipment. Every eye exam and other service is fully tailored to individual needs.

Winn Optometrist also works closely with the main laser surgery centres in Ottawa by offering both preoperative evaluation and post-operative care. They want to make sure that their patients have a successful surgery resulting in the best outcome possible.

Customer Reviews

A review from Lindsay Seunghee Lee via Google reads:

“Jennifer Winn is the best Optometrist I have ever experienced. Not only having excellent knowledge, she was very willing to help with my eye issue after having concussion. And she is also great with kids. It took 2 hours for an eye exam for my 2 young kids and myself, and my kids enjoyed every moment taking exams, asking questions, and saying it was a great experience visiting optometrist.”

Another review from Zeba Khan says:

“Dr. Jennifer Winn is the best Optometrist that my family and I have been to. Dr. Winn is very professional, knowledgeable, and has the latest machines in optometry. Dr. Winn and her staff are so friendly and understanding. We all would highly recommend her!”

4. Eyemaxx Optical Studio

SERVICES	Eye Exams and Vision Tests, Contact Lenses and Fitting, Optical Services
WEBSITE	https://www.eyemaxx.ca/
ADDRESS	237 Elgin St, Ottawa, ON K2P 1L6, Canada
CONTACT DETAILS	Phone: +1 613 216-6076
OPERATING HOURS	Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM Wednesdays, Thursdays: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM Saturdays, Sundays: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Eye Maxx is another one of the best clinics in Ottawa for comprehensive eye exams to test their patient’s vision as well as check for more serious health conditions such as diabetes, cataracts, and macular degeneration.

Their in-house opticians have a combined 70 years of experience and will ensure that every step of the optical process is taken care of. Their team of professionals can guarantee the quality, fit, and accuracy of every pair of Eyemaxx eyewear.

The clinic also takes into consideration that the children and seniors have eye needs that change more frequently than the rest of their patients. This is why their eye doctors make sure to identify major eye conditions and prescription changes before they can cause further damage.

Eye Maxx also has a style team dedicated to helping patients find their new pair of glasses or sunglasses. The style team is trained to help customers find the perfect pair of glasses to suit their style, face composition, and unique vision needs.

Eye Maxx carries top brands of frames, lenses, and contact lenses. Each frame has been handpicked to ensure that not only are they of the highest quality but also fashion-forward.

Customer Review

A positive review from Marlie Melo via Google says:

“Love going to this place! I recently had an eye exam because I have been experiencing some issues. Dr. Alexa was very thorough with trying to figure out what’s wrong and explained everything to me clearly. I also had an appointment with Michelle to find a new pair of glasses. She was fantastic in helping me find a pair and seemed super knowledgeable. Also all staff seem extremely careful with COVID precautions, so I felt very safe. Highly recommend!”

Another review from Sukhi Jandu also via Google reads:

“I highly highly recommend Eyemaxx Optical for all your optical needs! The superior customer service and attention to detail make them the number one Optometrist in the city. Could not recommend them more, I’m so happy I found them last year!”

5. Bailey Nelson Optometrist – Rideau Centre

SERVICES	Complete Eye Exam, Complete Contact Lens Eye Exam, 65 and Over Eye Exam, Ocular Emergency
WEBSITE	https://baileynelson.com/
ADDRESS	50 Rideau St Unit 266 A, Ottawa, ON K1N 9J7, Canada
CONTACT DETAILS	Phone: +1 613 216-1417
OPERATING HOURS	Mondays to Fridays: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Bailey Nelson is primarily known for their frames but they also offer eye exams. Their optometrists are equipped and available to conduct eye and vision tests in all of their stores.

Their eye exams are fully customized, typically taking 20-30 minutes to complete. Customers can conveniently book an eye exam online or at any of their locations.

They also have a remote doctor of optometry. The remote exam appointments are still done in the Bailey Nelson store but are performed by the doctor operating the optical equipment in the exam room remotely, communicating with the patient by video.

Remote eye exams give patients the same level of eye care as an in-person exam but with reduced close contact exposure.

Bailey Nelson also prioritizes the experience of buying glasses. They strive to not only deliver great customer service but also great eyewear frames at a reasonable price.

Bailey Nelson’s wide array of options for glasses and frames make them one of the best clinics to go to for various customer needs. Their progressives are high definition and free-form lenses.

They also have several options for anti-fatigue lenses, bifocals, contact lenses.

Customer Reviews

A review from émilie galarneau via Google says:

“BEST. SERVICE. EVER.

Can’t get over how nice and helpful the employees were (Thank you Ahmad & Tara, you guys are amazing). The store looks so good, the glasses are ALL beautiful and super affordable. Can’t wait to return and get another pair!! Recommending 100%”

Sara Wilcock also left a review via Google saying:

“The sales associate who helped me was fantastic and I walked away with glasses and sunglasses for a fantastic price. My previous glasses were quite pricey but so far I’m even happier with the ones I got from Bailey Nelson. Great quality and service. Would definitely recommend!”

6. Downtown Eye Care & The Contact Lens Department

SERVICES	Comprehensive eye exams for children, adults, and seniors, digital retinal photography, Optical Coherence Tomography, prescription contact lenses, contact lens fitting
ADDRESS	350 Sparks Street, Suite 216 Ottawa, ON K1R 7S8
CONTACT NUMBER	[email protected] 613-238-5960
WEBSITE	http://www.downtowneyecare.ca/
OPERATING HOURS	Monday to Friday 9 AM – 5 PM Closed on Saturdays and Sundays

A comprehensive eye exam is something that the Downtown Eye Care and The Contact Lens Department encourage their patients to go through. This will help the centre’s doctors detect the earliest stages of eye diseases and prevent vision loss.

Fortunately, this is also one of the services being offered at the clinic. What makes it even better is that it’s available for children, adults, and seniors using tailor-made processes and assessments.

The clinic employs the most current technology in its eye exams as well. Its diagnostic center boasts high-resolution images from its Digital Retinal Photography equipment, as well as magnified cross-section images of the retina from OCT scans.

New patients can book an appointment through the website or by calling the clinic during office hours. There’s also a convenient online store for eye care products.

Customer Reviews

Read what some patients of Downtown Eye Care have to say about its services:

“A special thank you to Dr. Taylor and Dr. Haney for resolving a problem I have had with my right eye for 20 years after Lasik surgery. They fitted me with a contact lens that now allows me to have a fantastic vision for the first time in years. After my first appointment, I knew they had my interests at heart and it was not all about money. They were polite professional and very patient. I would highly recommend this team to anyone who has outstanding contact and vision concerns.” – Chris Norman

“Best experience at an eye doctor! Dr. Connie Chen was awesome, so nice and friendly. Really comfortable environment during a pandemic. Highly recommend!” – Christian Garceau

7. Dr. William Clarke

SERVICES	Eye checkups, Sports Vision, Traumatic Brain Injury
ADDRESS	Merivale Vision Care 8A-1547 Merivale Road Ottawa, ON K2G4V3
CONTACT NUMBER	(613) 226-8446 [email protected]
WEBSITE	http://drwilliamclarke.com
OPERATING HOURS	Monday 9:00am – 6:00pm Tuesday 9:00am – 8:00pm Wednesday 10:00am – 6:00pm Thursday 9:00am – 8:00pm Friday 8:00am – 5:00pm

Next on our list is Dr William Clarke of Merivale Vision Care.

Dr William Clarke has an extensive background in optometry, having earned his Doctorate degree in Optometry in 1992. Since then, Dr Clarke has provided quality vision care to the Ottawa community, once offering comprehensive eye care alongside care for sports vision as well as traumatic brain injury.

Unfortunately, he no longer offers holistic care, but patients are welcome to come in and have their eyes checked still.

In terms of the sports vision service, the patients’ vision, eye-hand and eye-body coordination, reaction-response times, central and peripheral recognition, and balance are assessed. Once results come out, Dr William Clarke can then provide a sports-specific vision training program that can develop and enhance training regimes with the goal of better performance in mind.

For those who are looking for quality care for post-traumatic vision syndrome, look no further as Dr William Clarke caters to those who are in need of it as well.

PTVS requires a neuro-optometric examination to establish a thorough case history and assess their ocular health, vision, sensory-motor function, refraction, brain-motor function, and visual field of vision.

Once the examination results come out, Dr William Clarke will then work with other specialists to ensure that a proper rehabilitation program is created to help influence and maximize the potential for each individual.

All in all, Dr William Clarke and Merivale Vision Centre makes an excellent choice for those who are looking for specialised eye care.

8. Rideau Optometric

SERVICES	Eye Exam, Contact Lenses, Glasses
ADDRESS	351A-50 Rideau Street Inside LensCrafters – third floor of the Rideau Centre 1200 St. Laurent Blvd. Beside LensCrafters – second floor of the St. Laurent Shopping Centre 1098-110 Place d’Orléans Drive Inside LensCrafters – near entrance 2 of Place d’Orléans
CONTACT NUMBER	Rideau Street 613-567-0800 Ext. 1 St. Laurent Blvd. 613-567-0800 Ext. 2 Place d’Orléans Drive 613-567-0800 Ext. 3
WEBSITE	https://www.rideauoptometric.com
OPERATING HOURS	Contact for more information

Are you encountering eye problems? Or perhaps you’re looking to upgrade your glasses or contact lenses. If so, you may want to consider Rideau Optometric for your next Optometrist Visit.

Rideau Optometric offers an array of services that specially caters to common eye problems. These services include technologically advanced eye exams and consultations as well as expert contact lens fittings.

Now, it’s also worth noting that Rideau Optometric has a great team of optometrists who will examine your eyes with the utmost precision. These optometrists endeavour to help patients ensure that their vision and eye health are at the best possible state.

Aside from that, they are also very polite and friendly, making an excellent team that can cater to children and adults alike.

For further questions, Rideau Optometric can be reached via phone. The clinic also has three branches to choose from.

9. eyeDOCS Ottawa

SERVICES	Comprehensive Eye Exams Dry Eye Treatment Vision Therapy Eye Disease Diagnosis and Management
WEBSITE	https://eyedocsottawa.com/
ADDRESS	1285 Kilborn Ave Ottawa, ON K1H 6K9
CONTACT DETAILS	613-733-8400 [email protected]
OPERATING HOURS	Monday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM Thursday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

eyeDOCS Ottawa is a clinic that offers a plethora of eye care services for clients in need of quality eyewear and medication. Established back in the 1990s and with over 40 years of experience in the industry, they have since then been providing their clients with affordable and reliable eye care services.

Unlike other optometry clinics, they have 6 locations across the city. They have a clinic in Ottawa, Westboro, Kanata, Riverside South, Preston, and Barrhaven.

We like that they have a multidisciplinary team of experts in the field as well as partnerships to ensure that clients can get the best holistic eye medication and services in every branch that they visit.

Aside from this, they always make sure to invest in the latest technology so that clients can receive more accurate results, treatments, and diagnoses for their eye condition and better eyewear as well.

However, their customer service could be improved to accommodate clients with special conditions so that they can also be able to avail of discounts and services as well in the future.

Overall, with well-equipped facilities and experts readily on the helm at flexible hours, we highly recommend them to clients in the area who are in need of eye care services at fair rates and quality eyewear as well.

Customer Reviews

Here are some reviews from their clients:

“Dr. Erin Condran is absolutely wonderful. She is so warm and friendly and makes her patients feel super comfortable. We highly recommend her for both adults and children – she’s an absolute delight. The office staff are always very friendly and the entire space is always clean.” – Kelsey Seal

“Very thorough eye exam. I didn’t wait long to get my eyes tested. Clean facility and the optometrist answered all my questions satisfactorily. I will always go there when I need to see an optometrist.” – Dino Petrin

FAQs about Optometrists in Ottawa

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Your health and wellbeing should never be taken for granted. We hope that our list of the best optometrists in Ottawa has provided you with the right information on where to go.

If you know other optometrists that should be on this list, let us know! We’d love to hear from you.

For other medical concerns, we have other lists of the best health professionals in the city that you can check out, including the best dentists in Ottawa.

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