New Patients | FAQ's

+ Is Stonewire Optometry accepting new patients?

Absolutely. New patients are always welcomed.

+ How can I book an appointment for an eye exam?

You can either give us a call @ 780.628.6886 to speak with one of our friendly staff members or you can book your eye exam online, through our online schedular which is in partnership with Pearle Vision. Click here to try it.

+ Do you take walk-in appointments for eye exams?

Yes. We try to schedule our days to allow for walk-ins. We do get busy though, so if you're in a rush or need a particular time, we recommend that you schedule an appointment via one of our friendly staff members or online. Patients with scheduled appointments always take priority.

+ Do you offer evening and weekend appointments?

Yes. Our optometrists are available until 7:30 pm on Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday, every Saturday and now every Sunday.

+ Does your clinic directly bill my insurance plan?

Yes. We can direct bill most vision insurance plans including Alberta Blue Cross, Great West Life, and SunLife. Not all vision plans allow for direct billing though as this must be set up by your employer.

If for some reason we cannot direct bill your insurance company, we will ask for you to pay for the eye exam in full and we will provide you with a detailed receipt which you can submit to your insurance provider. We can also email you this receipt if you prefer so that you don't lose it.

+ I need an eye exam to get my driver’s license, can you fill in the forms?

Yes. Just bring your drivers forms with you to your eye examination and the optometrist will be happy to fill it in for a nominal fee ($10.00). The same applies to work forms, welding certificates, RCMP/EPS/Firefighter application forms, etc.

If additional eye tests are required for these forms such as dilated retinal exams, computerized visual field testing, night vision glare testing (post-LASIK/PRK/RLE surgery), colour vision analysis other fees will apply as Alberta Health Care does not cover tests for these types of services.

+ What should I bring to my appointment

Being well-prepared for your appointment will help your visit go smoothly. Please bring the following items:

• Alberta Health Care Card (if you are out-of-province, regular exam fees apply for government funded services).
• Photo ID - All government and private insurance plans require that you show valid government issued photo ID for your safety and to prevent insurance fraud.
• If you wear contact lenses, please bring the boxes or individual lens packages if possible.
• A copy of your previous eyeglass prescription. (if you are already an existing Stonewire Optometry patient, we will have your previous prescription on file)
• If you are currently taking any prescription medications, please bring a list. This should include both oral and topic medications.
• If you are covered by an insurance plan, please bring the appropriate coverage information.
• If you have any questions for the doctor, please write them down. We would be happy to answer them.

Eye Exams | FAQ's

+ How long does an eye exam take?

Most eye exams take about 25-30 minutes. Extra time may be required if your eyes need to be dilated or if you need additional testing like visual fields, OCT or retinal photos. Half the exam time will be spent with of our optometric assistants who will gather your medical and previous eye health information as well as perform some preliminary testing. The other half of the time will be spent with the doctor.

+ When does my eyeglass prescription expire?

All eyeglass prescriptions, expire within one (1) year unless noted otherwise. Your optometrist may choose to shorten this expiration date if they feel that your vision is changing rapidly or if they have any eye health concerns.

+ Do I get a copy of my prescription at the end of the eye exam?

Absolutely. We give all of our patients a copy of their prescription at the end of the eye exam without ever having to ask for it.

+ Can I take my eyeglass prescription anywhere to be filled?

Yes. The prescription is yours to take at the end of the eye exam. We do however work in close cooperation with Pearle Vision Optical next door to us, and they would be happy to provide you with a frame and lens consultation though as well.

+ What happens if I have problems with my new eyeglasses or I think the prescription is wrong?

If you're not 100% happy with the vision out of your new eyeglasses, please come back to see us. Your optometrist will happily recheck your prescription and eye health at no charge for 100-days from the date of your eye exam and make any adjustments that may be required. You can learn more about the Stonewire Guarantee here.

+ Is my PD (Pupil Distance) measurement included on the prescription?

No. Your PD is an additional service that may be added at the time of the examination. Traditionally the PD measurement is included when you purchase eyewear from a Licensed Optician or optical shop.

It's also important to note your PD is not the only fitting measurement required to make a pair of eyeglasses. A Licensed Optician will also need to determine the optical centre, vertex distance, face form, and pantoscopic tilt in order to accurately build a pair of eyeglasses. Always use caution when purchasing your eyewear online, the price should not be your only consideration when choosing something that you will wear every day and which dictates how clearly you will see the world.

Contact Lenses | FAQ's

+ Is it ok to sleep in my contact lenses?

Maybe. Not all contact lenses have an indication for overnight wear, and some patients may have ocular contraindications that prevent safe overnight wear. If you're interested in sleeping in contact lenses occasionally because of work requirements or lifestyle, please talk to your optometrist. Research studies show that sleeping in contact lenses can increase the risk of eye infections and vision loss. Always follow your doctor's recommendations and clean and dispose of your contact lenses as recommended by the manufacturer.

+ Can you get bifocal contact lenses?

Absolutely. If you wear progressive or bifocal eyeglasses, you may also be able to get multifocal or bifocal contact lenses as well. It does depend on your eyeglass prescription, though, so talk to your optometrist during your next eye exam.

+ Do you sell coloured contact lenses?

Yes. We stock multiple styles of the most popular coloured contact lenses and colour enhancing lenses. You must have an up to date eye exam and contact lens prescription to order them. If you don't, we can help with that.

+ How much do contact lenses cost?

We carry an extensive selection of quality brand name contact lenses for all budgets. You can purchase monthly disposable lenses for as low as $10.00 per month and daily disposable lenses for about $1.00 per day.

Quoted prices are valid for annual supply purchases and after manufacturer mail-in rebates are applied.

+ Can I use my eyeglass prescription to order contact lenses online?

No. A contact lens prescription is very different from an eyeglass prescription. It’s important to have a professional contact lens fitting by an optometrist to ensure that you’re wearing the right lens brand and power for your eyes. Randomly ordering contact lenses online may lead to eye infections, reduced visual performance and potential vision loss.

Alberta Health Care | FAQ's

+ I've already had an eye exam this year, am I still covered?

In general, the answer is no, but there are some exceptions. Alberta Health Care covers children 0-18 and seniors 65+ for one comprehensive eye exam each year.

+ What is the billing cycle for Alberta Health Care?

The billing year for Alberta Health Care runs from July 1st to June 30th.

+ Do I need to show you my Alberta Health Care Card, or is it good enough that I just know the number?

All insurance plans, including government insurance programs such as Alberta Health Care, require you to show the benefit card and one piece of governemtn issued photo ID. This is for your protection to ensure that you receive the benefits that you are entitled to. If you've lost or destroyed the card you can get a new one issued for free still at most registries.

General Office Questions | FAQ's

+ Why do you want to know my email address?

We use email addresses to send out recall reminders, appointment information for specialists referrals and to send you copies of your receipts, so you don't lose them come tax time. If you opt into our email newsletter, you will also receive regular updates with regards to new product launches, special promotions and eye care articles.

+ Why do I have to sign an email release form?

It's a new requirement set out by the Government of Canada under the Canadian Anti-Spam Legislation.

+ How can I unsubscribe from your email recall list?

If you would like your email removed from your patient file, you can either call us or reply 'Stop' when you receive an email recall reminder. Stonewire will remove your email address from your patient file, which means that all future email communication will be terminated. After which we can no longer send you copies of receipts, prescriptions, etc. via email.

+ How do I unsubscribe from your email newsletter?

Click on the unsubscribe button at the bottom of the email, and your email address will automatically be removed from the newsletter list. As our email newsletter is a user opt-in service, our front staff cannot unsubscribe you as they do not have access to the database.