Eye Exams in Edmonton at Charm Optical See Clearly, Live Fully
Welcome to Charm Optical — your family eye doctor in south Edmonton. A comprehensive eye exam here covers your visual acuity, screens for eye diseases, assesses your retinal health, and updates your prescription — all in about 20 minutes. Family-owned and proudly serving Ellerslie, Heritage Valley, and surrounding communities since 2017.
Why Regular Eye Exams Matter
Your eyes do more than help you see — they can reveal early signs of serious health conditions. A comprehensive eye exam at Charm Optical does much more than update your glasses prescription. Here is why the Canadian Association of Optometrists recommends regular eye exams for every age group.
Catch Problems Early
Conditions like glaucoma, macular degeneration, and cataracts often develop without symptoms. Regular eye exams with an optometrist can detect these conditions before they cause permanent vision loss. Early detection is key — treatment is far more effective when started sooner.
Monitor Your Overall Health
Your optometrist can spot signs of diabetes, high blood pressure, and other systemic conditions during a routine ocular health assessment. Diabetic retinopathy, for example, is often first detected during an eye exam — before the patient even knows they have diabetes.
Keep Your Prescription Current
Vision changes gradually. Myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, and presbyopia can all progress over time. An outdated prescription causes headaches, eye strain, and fatigue. Annual exams keep your prescription glasses or contact lenses working for you.
Protect Your Kids' Learning
Up to 80% of a child's learning is visual. Children often cannot tell when they have a vision problem — they assume everyone sees the way they do. The Alberta Association of Optometrists recommends a first eye exam at 6 months, again at age 3, and annually from school age onward.
Our Eye Care Services
From routine vision tests to specialized eye care, we offer a full range of optometry services for the whole family at our Edmonton clinic on Ellerslie Road. Whether you need a prescription eye exam, a children's eye exam, or a diabetic retinal screening — we have you covered.
Comprehensive Adult Eye Exams
Full vision assessment, ocular health screening, retinal imaging, and prescription update. We check for glaucoma, cataracts, macular degeneration, and more.
Children's Eye Exams
Kids learn with their eyes — vision problems can look like learning difficulties. We make children's eye exams comfortable and thorough. Covered by Alberta Health Care for kids under 19.
Senior Eye Exams (65+)
Annual eye exams are especially important as we age. We screen for cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration, and other age-related conditions. Fully covered by Alberta Health Care.
Contact Lens Exams & Fitting
A contact lens prescription is different from glasses. We measure your cornea, assess tear film, and find the best lens type for your eyes and lifestyle.
Diabetic Eye Exams
Diabetes can damage the blood vessels in your retina, sometimes without symptoms. Regular diabetic eye exams help catch diabetic retinopathy early and protect your vision.
Emergency & Urgent Eye Care
Eye infections, injuries, sudden vision changes, or floaters? Don’t wait. We offer urgent eye care appointments — covered by Alberta Health Care when medically necessary.
What to Expect During Your Eye Exam
Whether this is your first eye exam or you are a regular, here is what a visit to Charm Optical looks like. The whole process takes about 20 minutes — no surprises, no rush.
Check-in & History
We review your medical history, current medications, and any vision concerns. If you are a new patient, arrive 5 minutes early so we can get your file set up.
Vision Testing
We measure your visual acuity and use refraction testing to determine your exact prescription for glasses or contact lenses.
Eye Health Assessment
Your optometrist examines the health of your eyes using tonometry (eye pressure), retinal imaging, and slit-lamp examination — checking for glaucoma, cataracts, macular degeneration, dry eye, and more.
Results & Next Steps
We walk you through your results, discuss your updated prescription, and help you pick the perfect frames if needed. You can browse our collection right after — no second visit required.
Eye Exam Cost & Alberta Health Coverage
Wondering how much an eye exam costs in Edmonton? At Charm Optical, we believe cost should never be a barrier to good eye care. Here is a clear breakdown of our pricing and what Alberta Health Care (AHCIP) covers.
Covered
- Children under 19 — one exam per year
- Seniors 65+ — one exam per year
- Diabetic eye exams — no age restriction
- No referral needed
$99 / exam
- Comprehensive eye exam
- Covered by most private insurance
- Contact lens exam & fitting: $135
- We direct bill 30+ providers
Frequently Asked Questions About Eye Exams
What is the difference between an eye exam and a contact lens exam?
Great question — this one comes up a lot! A standard eye exam checks your overall eye health and gives you a glasses prescription. Think of it as your annual eye check-up. A contact lens exam includes everything in a standard exam plus extra measurements specific to contacts — your cornea curvature, diameter, and tear film quality — because contacts sit directly on your eyes and need a precise fit. At Charm Optical, a standard eye exam is $99 and a contact lens exam with fitting is $135. If you wear both glasses and contacts, the contact lens exam covers you for both prescriptions — so you only need one appointment.
Is my contact lens prescription the same as my glasses prescription?
Nope — they are actually different, and this catches a lot of people off guard! Here is why: your glasses sit about 12 mm from your eyes, while contacts rest directly on them, so the lens power often needs to be adjusted (especially if your prescription is above +/–4.00). On top of that, a contact lens prescription includes a base curve and diameter specific to your cornea shape — details that a glasses prescription simply does not have. That is why a separate contact lens exam and fitting is needed. The good news? We can do both in the same visit so you walk out with everything you need.
How often should I get an eye exam?
The Canadian Association of Optometrists recommends annual eye exams for children, seniors over 65, and anyone with diabetes or other risk factors. Adults aged 19-64 with no known issues should get an exam at least every two years — though honestly, yearly is better for catching changes early. If you wear glasses or contacts, definitely come in every year.
How much does an eye exam cost in Edmonton?
At Charm Optical, a comprehensive adult eye exam is $99. Kids under 19 and seniors 65+ are fully covered by Alberta Health Care — no charge. A contact lens exam and fitting is $135. Most private insurance plans cover annual eye exams too, and we direct bill to over 30 providers so you do not have to deal with paperwork.
Does Alberta Health Care cover eye exams?
Yes! Alberta Health Care (AHCIP) covers one eye exam per year for children under 19 and seniors 65 and older. If you have diabetes or another medical condition that requires monitoring, your exam may also be covered regardless of age. For adults 19-64 without coverage, the exam is $99 and most private insurance plans pick up the tab.
How long does an eye exam take?
About 20 minutes for a comprehensive eye exam. We do not rush you — our optometrist takes the time to thoroughly assess your vision and eye health. Plan for about 30 minutes total including check-in, especially if it is your first visit.
Do I need an appointment, or can I walk in?
We recommend booking an appointment to guarantee your preferred time. We usually have same-week availability, and you can book online in about 30 seconds. Walk-ins are always welcome if we have openings — just give us a call at (780) 490-0090 to check.
Do I need a referral for an eye exam in Alberta?
No referral is needed. You can book directly with an optometrist in Alberta for a routine eye exam. Children under 19 and seniors 65+ are covered by Alberta Health Care without a referral. Adults with diabetes or other medical conditions may also have their exam covered. Just book online or call us directly.
What should I bring to my eye exam?
Bring your Alberta Health Care card, your current glasses or contact lenses, a list of any medications you are taking, and your insurance card if you have private coverage. If you have a previous prescription handy, great — but we can work without it.
Can I get my glasses prescription the same day?
Absolutely. You will get your updated prescription right after your exam. You can browse our frame collection — we carry Ray-Ban, Oakley, Gucci, Calvin Klein, Maui Jim, and more — and order your new glasses the same visit. For single vision lenses, we even offer same-day lenses so you could walk out wearing your new glasses that day. We also offer contact lenses if that is your preference.
What is the difference between an optometrist and an ophthalmologist?
An optometrist is a Doctor of Optometry (OD) who performs comprehensive eye exams, prescribes corrective lenses, and diagnoses and manages eye diseases like glaucoma and dry eye. An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor (MD) who specializes in eye surgery and treats more complex conditions. For routine eye exams, prescription updates, and preventive screenings, your optometrist is your go-to eye doctor in Edmonton.
Your South Edmonton Eye Doctor
Find us at Harvest Pointe — the shopping centre at Ellerslie Road and 50 Street SW, right next to Walmart and Sobeys. Easy access from Anthony Henday Drive and the QE II. Your neighbourhood optometrist in south Edmonton.
Communities We Serve
We are proud to serve families across south Edmonton and surrounding areas, including:
- Ellerslie
- Summerside
- Heritage Valley
- Rutherford
- Allard
- Callaghan
- Cavanagh
- The Meadows
- Walker
- Windermere
- Ambleside
- Blackmud Creek
- Beaumont
- Chappelle
No need to drive across the city for quality eye care. Your family optometrist in Edmonton Ellerslie is right here.
Getting Here
Charm Optical
5035 Ellerslie Road SW
Edmonton, AB T6X 2A5
Hours:
Monday–Friday: 11am–7pm
Saturday: 11am–5pm
Sunday: Closed
Phone: (780) 490-0090
Located at Harvest Pointe shopping centre, corner of Ellerslie Road and 50 Street SW. Easy access from Anthony Henday Drive and QE II.
Book Your Eye Exam at Charm Optical
Whether it is time for a routine check-up or you have been putting it off, the team at Charm Optical is here to help. Book online in 30 seconds — we will take it from there.
Last updated: March 2026