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OFFICE HOURS
Monday
8:00 am - 5:00 pm

Tuesday
9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Wednesday
8:00 am - 5:00 pm

Thursday
8:00 am - 5:00 pm

Friday
8:00 am - 5:00 pm

Saturday
9:00 am - 4:00 pm

Sunday Closed

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1st hour free Parking vouchers for parkades.
We are completely wheelchair accessible

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Products

Eyeglasses

What could be more important than your vision? This is the philosophy we follow when trying to recommend the lenses and frames most suited to your needs. It is imperative to have a frame that fits your face, your visual needs, your prescription and, of course, your style. We have a dispensary with one of the largest selection of frames in Victoria. We have over 1700 frames offering a wide selection of styles, colours and sizes to meet the needs of our patients. We carry brand names such as Versace, Vogue, Gucci, Lacoste, Mizyake and Salvatore Ferragamo, just to name a few.

Lenses

Lens technology is ever evolving. Our optometric assistants are educated and kept up to date in lens advancements so they can best offer you a choice of lenses suited to your needs. We are not limited to any brand of lenses and will always recommend lenses we feel are most appropriate for you. Prescription lenses, however, cannot be ‘test driven’ like vehicles can, so it is up to our opticians to guide you to making an appropriate choice for your needs. They make ask you questions about how you utilize your eyesight including how long you spend on a computer or how often you drive at night. They will also talk to you about your budget and strive to work within it. Family Eyecare Centre carries the highest quality of lenses from suppliers such as Nikon and Essilor.

Sunglasses

The UV index has never been so high.

Canada is full of outdoors enthusiasts.  Whether relaxing, exercising or just working in the sun, there are some important factors to keep in mind.  This includes those who enjoy indoor tanning beds especially.

Indoors or out, people are exposing themselves to ultraviolet (UV) rays to an unprecedented degree.  With the increased penetration of UV rays in our atmosphere today, outdoor exposure is not so different from the UV-rich, indoor tanning beds that have been the subject of much debate.

This is true of cloudy days as much as sunny ones.  Don’t forget that water and snow environments, as well as higher elevations, also demand UV protection.

Significant exposure to these UV rays can damage your retina, cornea and can cause cataracts or macular degeneration.  Ensure that you wear UV-protected sunglasses or a wide-brimmed hat when outdoors for a prolonged time.  Sterilized protective goggles are essential for any duration of indoor tanning.  In any environment, closing your eyes is no protection from UV, and there is no substitute for proper UV-blocking eyewear. 

If you are a contact lens wearer, would like a set of prescription sunglasses or have no prescription at all but would love a great looking set of sunglasses we can help. We always have a wide variety of styles including such high fashion names as Carrera, Anne Klein, Maui Jim, Kate Spade, Ted Baker and Lulu Guiness among others. Whether you are running, sailing or just sitting enjoying the sun, you need to protect your eyes with sunglasses.

Caring for your glasses

Considering that great vision is about clear eyesight, clean lenses should be a natural priority. Like any special item, scratch resistant and anti-reflective lens coatings should be treated with care. Strong acids and alkali can damage the surface of any lens coating. If the lenses are splattered or misted with any substance, they should be rinsed as soon as possible under cool fresh water. Some common culprits to watch out for:

  • Hair Spray
  • Perfumes and colognes
  • Windex (ammonia)
  • Sea water
  • Cleaning tissues made of paper
  • Anti-Fog agents
  • Swimming pools and hot tubs

If lenses are exposed to the above, clean with tepid water and mild dishwashing liquid as soon as possible. Dry with a soft clean cloth or a cloth designed for anti-reflective lenses. Be especially careful of heat extremes – even heat from a car dashboard can produce small cracks.

Miscellaneous Products

The Family Eyecare Centre carries a number of products such as ophthalmic drops, contact lens solution and vitamins at competitive prices. The following are available at the office:

  • Blink
  • Genteal Artificial Tears
  • Genteal Gel
  • Genteal Gel Drops
  • Opcon A
  • Systane Ultra
  • Thera Tears
  • Vitalux Healthy Eyes
  • Vitalux Areds
  • Vitalux Plus
  • Lid Care Towelettes
  • Lid Care Solution
  • Clear Care Contact Lens Solution
  • Opti-Free Contact Lens Solution
  • Complete Contact Lens Solution
  • Solo Care Contact Lens Solution

If you have any questions regarding the proper use of these products or would just like to price check, please feel free to contact our office. The staff will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

Contact Lens Fitting and Assessment

At Family Eyecare Centre, our doctors are here to help you achieve successful contact lens wear.  They aim for the best vision, comfort and health (VCH).  Contact lenses are considered medical devices and require appropriate fitting and care.

Fitting is a 3 step process:

  • Initial check:  we measure your prescription, take a topography of your cornea to determine it’s curvature, and assess the health of the anterior segment of your eye
  • Training:  we teach you how to apply and remove your contact lenses and how to care for your lenses and lens case and we advise you on solutions to use.
  • Follow-up:  After a trial period of wearing contact lenses our doctors assess your VCH.  They will make changes if necessary.  Once successful VCH is obtained, you are ready to use your contact lenses!

Follow-Up Care

After your contact lens fitting is complete, have your eyes examined annually to ensure the lenses you use are still most appropriate, your eye health is not compromised and to learn about new lenses that may be better suited to you.

Why purchase your contact lenses through us?

  • We offer doctor delivered care
  • We offer personalized service
  • We offer competitive pricing
  • We offer free shipping on all contact lens orders
  • We offer no hassle exchange on lens powers or designs if changes need to be made

Caring for your contact lenses

  • Do care for your lenses properly. It’s risky to skip steps in your lens care routine. Use the proper care products and never clean your lenses by using water or placing them in your mouth.
  • Don’t switch brands of lens care products unless you ask your eye doctor first.
  • If you wear disposables, don’t stretch the replacement intervals your doctor has specified.
  • Do consider more than just price when buying replacement lenses. Remember, healthy eyes are an important part of your overall health.
  • If you’re a parent, it is possible for your teen to safely wear contacts if recommended by your eye doctor. Almost 50 percent of new wearers are teens and most start wearing contacts before age 15.
  • Don’t share your contact lenses with anyone. This especially applies to increasingly popular novelty or costume lenses. Sharing lenses can spread microorganisms or bacteria and is dangerous.
  • Don’t take contacts for granted. A contact lens is a medical device. If you experience eye redness, pain or develop other unusual symptoms, discontinue wear and see us immediately.

Considerations When Buying Contact Lenses On-line

  • The Canadian Association of Optometrists (CAO) urges consumers to follow advice on buying contact lenses safely. The CAO is concerned following reports of cases of contact lens wearers experiencing eye health problems after buying lenses without getting proper eye care and advice. Dr. Kirsten North, President, CAO, said: www.opto.ca .
  • "Any contact lens is in direct contact with the eye. That carries a risk of irritation and infection, especially if instructions are not carefully followed, which could lead to long term problems for the wearer. It’s incredibly important to having a fitting before wearing contact lens for the first time, and to have regular check-ups. Contact lens wearers should get professional advice to avoid putting their eyesight at risk.”
  • Two studies confirm increased risks associated with purchasing contact lenses online. The risk of serious infection was found to be nearly five times higher. As well, consumers who bought contact lenses from sources other than their eye care practitioner were found to be less like to comply with good eye care practices.
  • Sales of contact lenses are regulated to protect consumers from eye health problems. Unfortunately, in Canada, internet retailers are not legally obligated to check customers ‘specifications’, issued by their contact lens practitioner, before supplying corrective lenses. It is a matter of ‘buyer beware’ for the public.
  • For more information about contact lens wear, visit the CAO website: ww.opto.ca