About Our Practice in Calgary

As our Optometrists are typically fully booked with patients, they are usually unavailable to take phone calls. However, if you contact our reception team via phone or email, they will ensure you are taken care of, and your Optometrist is made aware of your situation. Depending on the situation, we may be able to schedule a telemedicine phone call with one of our Optometrists or provide you with their email address.

Give us a call at Cranston Market or Meadows Mile.

A comprehensive eye exam typically takes 30 minutes to 1 hour, depending on your age, individual needs and whether additional testing is required.

If you’re being fitted for contact lenses or have specific eye health concerns, your appointment may take a bit longer.

We are an appointment-based clinic and currently do not accept walk-ins.

If you are experiencing an eye emergency or need routine care, please call us directly so we can triage your situation and review the next available appointment times with you. Oftentimes we have spaces available for emergency situations.

For basic cleaning, which includes light dust and debris or light fingerprints, spray both sides of your lenses with the lens cleaning spray provided with your purchase from Vivid Eye Care.

Use a clean microfibre cloth to gently wipe the lenses to dislodge debris and fingerprints.

Wipe until dry; ensure excess solution is wiped from the lenes, including any grooves/edges of the frame and lenses.

For tougher debris (i.e. grease & grime), wet your lenses with lukewarm tap water. Use a mild detergent (Dawn dish soap works great!) to gently soap your lenses, using your finger pads to gently clear the more stubborn dirt away. Rinse your lenses well with tap water.

Use a clean microfibre cloth to gently wipe the lenses until dry; ensure excess solution is wiped from the lenes, including any grooves/edges of the frame and lenses.

If your cloth isn’t getting things clean and seems to be making things worse, put it in the washing machine – just don’t use fabric softener! Alternatively, you can handwash with dish soap and air dry.

• When you first put on your new glasses, give yourself a few minutes for your eyes to adjust. It can take up to 2 weeks for your eyes to adjust to a new prescription.
• It is normal to experience slight headaches and eyestrain the first few days of wearing the new glasses.
• It is always best to wear a new prescription first thing in the morning. Your eyes will be well rested to start something new!
• Your glasses like some TLC too. Make sure they are adjusted and clean when you are using them.
• Make sure to come in for your yearly check up. We want to see how the new glasses are working for you!

We are here if you need us. If after the first two weeks you are finding you need a little more help, reach out to one of our team members. We would be happy to give you some more tips or make some minor adjustments to your frame that can help.

Please note that when glasses are purchased elsewhere, additional fees may apply for troubleshooting services, as we will not hold record of purchase (i.e. measurements taken by optical experts, lens choice, etc).

When you purchase contact lenses from us, you can rest-assured that we will take care of you in every way possible. Our patient care, knowledge, and expertise combined with our services will make your contact lens purchase experience easy, enjoyable, and affordable. We know life is busy, so convenience and reliability are crucial. The following services are included in the purchase of your contact lenses:

• Free Shipping to Your Home or Work: Unable to pick up your contact lenses from our office? No problem! Choose where you would like them delivered with an annual supply (at your request).
• Free Replacement: If you happen to get a defective lens right out of package, bring it in for a complimentary replacement
• Free Exchange: If your prescription changes, bring any unopened, non-expired boxes into our office and we will exchange them for your new prescription of the same brand free of charge!
• Follow-up/Medical Appointments: If you experience any concern with the vision or comfort or your contact lenses, call our office for a follow-up visit, often at no charge.
• Save GST: No taxes on contact lens solutions or eye drops when purchased with your contact lens supply.
• Rebates on most 6-month and annual supplies.

Yes, we direct bill to most insurance companies as a courtesy to our patients.

However, due to privacy regulations, we are unable to access or confirm your specific coverage details in advance. We strongly encourage you to review your insurance policy prior to your appointment to understand what is covered.

Please note that you are responsible for any fees not covered by your insurance provider at the time of your visit.

Please also note that occasionally insurance portals go down and we temporarily lose the ability to submit for our patients. In these situations, we will provide copies of invoices and ask that you submit on your own. We cannot predict this, and we apologize for the inconvenience.

Insurance companies we submit to:

• Alberta Blue Cross
• Alberta Health Care (AHC)
• Alberta Works
• Assured Income for the Severely
• Handicapped (AISH)
• Canada Life
• ClaimSecure
• Coughlin & Associates Ltd.
• Cowan
• Desjardins Insurance
• Equitable Life
• First Canadian
• GMS Carriers 49 & 50
• Green Shield Canada
• GroupHEALTH
• GroupSource
• Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP)
• Industrial Alliance
• Johnson Group Inc.
• Johnson Inc.
• Manion
• Manulife Financial
• Maximum Benefit
• Medavie Blue Cross
• Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB)
• People Corporation
• RWAM Insurance Administrators
• Simply Benefits
• SSQ Insurance
• Sun Life Financial

Yes, we work with LendCare, which is a third-party financing company. For more information about Lendcare, or to apply for financial assistance view our financing options.

We recommend eye exams starting at 6 months of age. This is important for several reasons. Number one, this is a critical vision development period; a baby’s visual system develops rapidly in the first year of life. At 6 months, the brain and eyes are beginning to coordinate, and depth perception, color vision, and eye movement control are emerging.

An eye exam at this stage can help ensure proper visual development and provide early detection of any possible eye and vision problems that can significantly affect a child’s development and quality of life. Conditions such as strabismus (crossed eyes), amblyopia (lazy eye), congenital cataracts, and refractive errors (like nearsightedness or farsightedness) may not be obvious to parents. Early intervention of these conditions leads to more effective treatment, and some issues are easier to correct when addressed early.

Vision is closely tied to motor, cognitive, and social development. When vision is poor, developmental milestones may be delayed, such as crawling, walking, hand-eye coordination, etc. Identifying issues early helps ensure a child’s development stays on track.

Early eye exams also help your Optometrist form a baseline of visual health and performance for future comparisons, which allows us to monitor changes and development through childhood.

Even if no issues are detected, a professional exam reassures parents that their baby’s visual system is developing normally.

Please bring the following items to your appointment:

• Any current eyewear, including glasses, contact lenses, and sunglasses
• A box of your contact lenses and/or a copy of your contact lens prescription
• Your Alberta Health Care card
• A piece of photo ID
• Any relevant third-party insurance information
• A current list of medications you are taking

Having these items ready helps us provide the most accurate and efficient care possible.

Yes, we do treat eye emergencies, including situations where you’ve gotten something in your eye.

If you suspect a foreign object (like dust, metal, or an eyelash) is in your eye, do not rub it. Rubbing can scratch the cornea and worsen the issue. Instead, try flushing your eye gently with sterile saline or clean water. If the discomfort persists, your vision is affected, or you’re experiencing pain, redness, or light sensitivity, contact us right away.

Our optometrists are trained to diagnose and manage eye emergencies such as:

• Foreign object removal
• Scratched cornea
• Sudden vision changes
• Eye infections or discharge
• Flashes and floaters
• Chemical exposure
• Eye trauma or injury

Call us and we will triage your concerns. Oftentimes we have spaces available for emergency situations to help protect your vision and provide fast, effective treatment. If your situation is severe or happens after business hours, go to your nearest emergency room.

All eyewear is final sale, as each piece is custom-made to your prescription and measurements.

Manufacturer warranties may apply in the case of defects or faults, and we’re happy to assist you with any warranty claims or concerns.

Vivid Eye Care offers a 1-year warranty on active frame lines for manufacturer’s defects and a 1-year warranty on lenses for manufacturer’s defects, i.e. lens crazing.

For more information, contact our clinic directly.

• Eye wandering might make you dizzy. Point your nose at what you want to focus on. Focus is your friend! Bring things into clarity for yourself by adjusting your gaze.
  • The top portion of your lens is your distance zone and should be used for anything over arm’s length from you.
  • The middle portion of your lens is intermediate/computer and should be used for anything at arm’s length from you.
  • The bottom portion of your lens is your near/reading zone and should be used for anything that is within elbow’s length away.
• At first, staircases may look “warped”, bring your chin into your chest and focus on the first step. There you go, all set!
• Take your time. Each person is different. On average it takes 2-4 weeks to fully adjust to your new progressive lenses. Don’t give up! You can do this!

We are here if you need us. If after the first two weeks you are finding you need a little more help, reach out to one of our team members. We would be happy to give you some more tips or make some minor adjustments to your frame that can help.

When you purchase your glasses lenses from our clinic, you’re choosing consistent, expert care from a licensed optometry team who truly understands your vision and eye health needs. We ensure that your lenses are made to the highest standards, using reputable labs and quality materials, so you can enjoy clear, comfortable vision with confidence. In addition to personalized care, we offer the following benefits:

• Professional Accuracy & Peace of Mind: All lenses are ordered through licensed, reputable suppliers and verified by our team to match your prescription precisely.
• Consistency in Care: Your glasses prescription is part of your complete eye health record with us, allowing for better follow-up, adjustments, and long-term care.
• Guarantees on Lenses: We stand behind our products. Many of our lenses come with warranties against coating defects, scratches, or adaptation issues.
• Exclusive Discounts: Depending on your lens choice or complete eyewear package, you may qualify for special discounts or promotions.
• Follow-up/Medical Appointments: If you experience any concern with the vision or comfort or your glasses, call our office for a follow-up visit, often at no charge.
• Expert Adjustments & Support: We provide complimentary fittings, adjustments, and follow-up care to ensure your lenses work perfectly for your lifestyle and comfort.

Your glasses are more than just vision correction—they’re part of your daily life. Let us help you make the best choice for quality, fit, and function.

Yes, we do accept the government support programs. However, there may be additional fees owing at your visit that they will not cover. For more information on specific fees to your visit, contact us directly.

For information on co-pays for Alberta Health Care funded exams, visit our blog. This, and many other topics, are covered in our monthly blogs. Visit them here.