FAQs
All about eyeglasses
What is myopia?
Myopia is a visual disorder characterized by sharp vision of close objects and blurred vision of distant objects. This is a common sight problem that many people do not immediately detect since not all objects in their viewing range are discerned as blurry.
What is Hyperopia?
People with hyperopia (or farsightedness) can see distant objects very well but have trouble focusing on objects that are close or nearby.
What is astigmatism?
Astigmatism is not an eye disease but a vision defect. The cornea (the front surface of the eye) has a curvature more like a football (as opposed to being round like a soccer ball). This condition results in blurred and distorted vision.
What is presbyopia?
Presbyopia is a decrease in near vision caused by normal aging of the eye. It develops mainly in people who are approaching midlife and causes difficulties to see or read closely. It now affects more than 40% of the population.
What are single vision lenses?
Single Vision lenses correct common visual problems over a single distance such as farsightedness (hyperopia), nearsightedness (myopia) or astigmatism.
What are bifocals?
Bifocals correct presbyopia by providing a correction for distance vision on the top portion of the lenses and a correction for reading at the bottom portion of the lenses.
What are progressive lenses?
Progressive lenses primarily correct presbyopia, which is characterized by correction over two distances; far and near. Progressive lenses also offer a progression between these two corrections normally known as the “intermediary” or “mid” distance.
What is an anti-glare coating?
As its name suggests, it’s all about reducing glare and reflection. There are several benefits to an anti-glare coating:
- Improved visibility (people see your eyes better and you see out better).
- Reduced glare, especially for night driving.
- Improved clarity.
- Improved viewing of personal tech devices, phones and TV.
- Eyewear is more aesthetically pleasing (thinner-looking lenses).
- Easy to clean, especially smudges and water droplets.
What are blue light filtering lenses?
Blue light filtering lenses protect against harmful blue rays emitted from screens. This artificial light is a cause of eye fatigue and may be the cause of some degenerative eye diseases. Blue light can be a major contributor to sleep disorders. A filter increases your quality of life, especially if you work on a computer or spend a lot of time in front screens.
What is the difference between tinted lenses and polarized lenses?
Tinted lenses protect your eyes against the brightness of the sun and allow you to better enjoy outdoor activities. Polarized lenses similarly protect against the brightness of the sun but also the glare and reflection from surfaces such as snow, ice and water. While polarized lenses are great all year around, they are particularly good for driving, fishing and winter sport activities. Optical Warehouse polarized and tinted lenses have full UV protection.
What should your prescription contain?
It must contain the full name of the patient including date of birth, date of the exam, name of the optometrist, etc. and all actual prescription information required for correction including sphere, cylindrical or prismatic power expressed in diopters and, if necessary, the addition. There may be other information depending the condition of the patient or contraindication annotated in the file. Lastly, there may be a validity period when it is justified in certain cases.
How long is my prescription valid?
Determining the validity period of a prescription is the role of an optometrist or ophthalmologist. To get your prescription filled at Optical Warehouse, a prescription should be less than one year old, unless a serious clinical reason requires a shorter validity period.
Do I have to pay to get a copy of my prescription from an optometrist or ophthalmologist?
The copy of your prescription is yours. Following your eye exam, the optometrist/ophthalmologist will issue a prescription. At your request, it must be given to you and is valid according to the indications of the optometrist/ophthalmologist in accordance with the local provincial medical and optometric governing bodies.
Are ophthalmic lens prescriptions the same as contact lens prescriptions?
Normally, these two are different. Your prescription for eyeglasses cannot be used for contact lenses. For more information, see this link:
https://www.ooq.org/public/droits-et-obligations-de-loptometriste
Do I need to make an appointment to buy eyewear?
We recommend booking an appointment to ensure that a member of our team is available to serve you upon your arrival
What is the difference between an optometrist and an optician?
Licensed optometrists in Canada obtain a professional “Doctor of Optometry” (OD) designation after 7 to 8 years of post-secondary education and training. Among other things they conduct eye exams, write prescriptions and treat eye diseases.
Optometrists often identify signs of eye disease and, if necessary, refer patients to ophthalmologists (medical doctors having completed a minimum of a 5 year residency) in cases where further assessment or surgery is required.
Licensed dispensing opticians hold a diploma and are fully trained in understanding prescriptions and providing best options for the fit of frames and lenses to any prescription while respecting your budget. They accompany you throughout your purchase process and advise on your choice of lenses and coatings. They take further essential measurements to accurately calculate where your field of vision should be depending on your selected frame and lens details. It is the precision of these measurements that will allow for excellent vision and comfort.
Opticians in Canada are licensed according to their provincial regulatory agencies. This means that they ultimately work on your behalf to ensure that you have received the frames and lenses you have ordered and that the lenses match your prescription (unlike internet purchases where there is no way of knowing you have obtained what you have ordered and if the lenses match your prescription).
The optician is responsible for the ordering and fitting glasses and related accessories based on your prescription issued by an optometrist or an ophthalmologist. Opticians can also perform certain minor repairs to eyeglasses.
Optometrists often identify signs of eye disease and, if necessary, refer patients to ophthalmologists (medical doctors having completed a minimum of a 5 year residency) in cases where further assessment or surgery is required.
Licensed dispensing opticians hold a diploma and are fully trained in understanding prescriptions and providing best options for the fit of frames and lenses to any prescription while respecting your budget. They accompany you throughout your purchase process and advise on your choice of lenses and coatings. They take further essential measurements to accurately calculate where your field of vision should be depending on your selected frame and lens details. It is the precision of these measurements that will allow for excellent vision and comfort.
Opticians in Canada are licensed according to their provincial regulatory agencies. This means that they ultimately work on your behalf to ensure that you have received the frames and lenses you have ordered and that the lenses match your prescription (unlike internet purchases where there is no way of knowing you have obtained what you have ordered and if the lenses match your prescription).
The optician is responsible for the ordering and fitting glasses and related accessories based on your prescription issued by an optometrist or an ophthalmologist. Opticians can also perform certain minor repairs to eyeglasses.
Can I put new lenses into my old frame?
It depends on the condition of the frame. Go to the store with your frame and prescription and our opticians will advise accordingly.