New patients at our Oshawa optometry practice
Our optometrists are accepting new patients. Here is what to bring, what to expect in your visit, and what to do in an eye emergency.
Before your first visit
These 5 things make your first check-in quicker.
- Your Ontario health card
- Your insurance information, if you have a private insurance plan
- A list of all medications and eye drops you use
- Any glasses you wear, including sunglasses
- Your current contact lenses, if we are updating your contact lens prescription
What a visit here is like
Whatever brings you in, your visit follows the same 5 steps.
- Arrive
Parking is free within the plaza, and our entrance is at street level. If you are taking Durham Region Transit, both the 900 and 902 bus routes have stops nearby.
- Check in
Have your health card ready, along with your insurance information, a list of your medications, and any glasses you wear, including sunglasses. If you are checking your contact lens prescription, please wear your current lenses into your visit.
- Vision check
Your optometrist will determine if and how your eyes could benefit from glasses or contact lenses.
- Health check
Your optometrist will take a look inside your eye. Depending on what they see, they may recommend further testing or next steps to better manage your eye health.
- Clear path forward
Before you go, your optometrist explains what the visit found and the next steps in your eye care plan. That may be a new prescription, more specialized care with an ophthalmologist, or routines and products that target the symptoms you are experiencing.
OHIP and insurance
Book online explains who OHIP covers: 19 and under, 65 and over, and certain medical conditions between. Many workplace and private insurance companies offer vision coverage for eye exams, contact lenses and glasses. If you'd like to know your coverage ahead of your visit, we recommend contacting your insurance provider directly. We can bill your insurance directly once your visit is complete.
Eye emergencies
- Sudden vision loss
- New flashes of light or sudden floaters
- Eye injuries or trauma
- Chemical exposure to the eye
If you experience an eye emergency, call us immediately at (905) 433-2015 during office hours. After hours, seek care at your nearest emergency department. For a serious or life-threatening emergency, call 911.
If a chemical enters your eye, begin flushing it immediately with clean, lukewarm water for at least 20 minutes while arranging emergency care.
New patient questions
Are you accepting new patients?
Yes, we are. New patients start on Book online, which begins with a quick OHIP check and then walks you through the eVisionCare patient portal. If you expect OHIP to cover your visit, call (905) 433-2015 so we can confirm your coverage first.
How soon can I get an appointment?
Call (905) 433-2015 and tell us what you need, and our staff will find you the soonest time that suits you; the patient portal also shows its open times when you book online. An eye emergency, such as sudden vision loss or impact to the eye, is prioritized as needed, so for an emergency call straight away rather than booking online.
Do I need a referral to see an optometrist?
No referral is needed. In Ontario you book an optometrist directly, the way you would a dentist. If you are not sure what visit to book, call (905) 433-2015 and ask.
Can I bring my child?
Yes, we see children. OHIP covers a full eye exam every year for everyone 19 and under, so call (905) 433-2015 and we will confirm your child's coverage and book the visit. The OHIP check that starts every booking is on Book online.
What if I have not had an eye exam in years?
That is common, and you do not need anything special to come back. Bring what is listed above, and the optometrist starts from where your eyes are now. If you cannot find an old prescription, do not worry; the exam measures it again. Call (905) 433-2015 and we will find you a time.
How to book
Ready when you are
Most routine eye exams can be booked online. Appointments are booked through our electronic medical records program, where current patients can sign in and new patients would register once. For OHIP-funded care, specialty care, or contact lens fittings, please call us so our staff can confirm your eligibility ahead of your visit.
Hours: Monday to Thursday 9 to 6, Friday 9 to 4, Saturday by appointment, Sunday closed.