optometrists-in-winnipeg
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The 5 Best Optometrists in Winnipeg for Clear, Comfortable Vision

Clinical Technology: When you notice vision issues early, you need more than a simple wall chart. We checked which clinics use modern diagnostic tools like digital retinal imaging or ultra-widefield scans.

Booking Convenience: Nobody wants to play phone tag just to schedule a routine checkup. We favoured practices that offer real-time online scheduling, SMS booking, or extended weekend hours.

Insurance Handling: It can be frustrating when you need to submit manual claims. We looked for teams that bill directly to major private insurers and provincial health plans.

Age-Appropriate Care: Families need flexible solutions that accommodate both growing toddlers and older adults. We verified minimum age requirements and the availability of stage-based pediatric screenings.

Clear vision is essential in daily life, from navigating a snowy commute to enjoying a sunny afternoon. When you can’t see clearly, you need a good pair of eyeglasses that has the exact prescription power, correct focal alignment, and comfortable fit.

When LASIK is a little too intimidating, you need an eye doctor who can update your prescription and help you pick out frames that fit your style.

To give you a clear start, we looked for the best optometrists in Winnipeg. From routine checkups to specialized dry eye therapy, our list has you covered!

How much does an optometrist cost in Winnipeg?

An optometrist in Winnipeg typically charges $90 to $150 for a routine eye examination, depending on the clinic’s diagnostic technology and your age.

ServiceTypical Price
Adult comprehensive eye exam$90 to $150
Pediatric eye exam (under 19)Covered by Manitoba Health
Contact lens fitting fee$30 to $70

1. Bailey Nelson & Optometry

bailey-nelson-optometry

Website: https://baileynelson.com/ 

Address: Unit 0269B – 1485 Portage Avenue

Contact: (204) 808-9197 | [email protected] 

Hours: Tuesday-Friday, 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM | Saturday, 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM | Sunday-Monday, 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Bailey Nelson & Optometry in Polo Park has an on-site doctor who brings clinical experience from hospital settings. This spot welcomes patients aged five and up. 

They offer a complimentary progressive lens promotion, which significantly lowers the cost hurdle for older adults needing multifocal correction. Plus, the team happily fills valid prescriptions brought in from outside clinics.

They take the sting out of routine visits by billing major carriers like Blue Cross directly. This setup keeps you from covering the entire bill out of pocket at the reception desk.

However, you only have a 28-day window to request a lens remake, so it’s important to test your new glasses immediately and report any vision discomfort to your optician right away.

Pros

  • Optometrist has hospital experience
  • Accepts external prescriptions
  • Complimentary progressive lens promotion
  • Direct insurance billing

Cons

  • Short 28-day remake window

Customer Reviews

Fantastic experience at Polo Park Bailey Nelson

Staff up front was extremely friendly and helpful, never pushy, impatient or insistent.

Dr. Haley Boswick is THE BEST optometrist I have ever had the pleasure of being helped by. Thoughtful, professional, kind and oh so good at her job- she directed me wonderfully through an experience that’s always been pretty awkward, confusing and uncomfortable.

I’ve avoided regular visits to have my eyes checked all my life until it became unavoidable but my experience at Polo Park Bailey Nelson has utterly turned me around.

Can’t wait for my next check up 

A great experience

My first appointment at Bailey Nelson and it was a great experience! I love how they assisted me and most especially my chosen glasses— the fitting, color, quality and style. I love all about BN 💖 …

2. Dr. Joel Kaplan

dr-joel-kaplan

Website: https://local.lenscrafters.com/ 

Address: 1555 Regent Avenue West Unit 33

Contact: (204) 654-6109

Hours: Contact for availability

Dr. Joel Kaplan is an independent optometrist who offers a self-service online booking system that shows real-time availability. You can check live openings on the web and lock in a convenient comprehensive exam instantly.

The clinic uses modern diagnostic technology, including digital retinal imaging to monitor long-term ocular health. This advanced setup allows the team to deliver highly accurate prescriptions and targeted diabetic screenings for older adults.

They also accommodate sudden visual changes through flexible walk-in and same-day exam options, ensuring you get seen quickly.

Although they offer pediatric care, they set a strict minimum age of two years old. Parents needing infant screenings will have to look elsewhere.

Pros

  • Real-time online appointment scheduling
  • Accepts walk-in and same-day visits
  • Targeted diabetic screenings
  • Pediatric care available for kids aged 2 and up

Cons

  • Mandatory contact lens fitting surcharges
  • No infant vision screenings under 24 months

Customer Reviews

Highly recommended optometrist in Winnipeg

Dr. Kaplan has been my optometrist for a few years now.  I appreciate the fact that they are very thorough in their examinations and that things seem to always be moving on time.  I would highly recommend him to anyone looking for an excellent optometrist in Winnipeg.

Fast, thorough, and affordable eye checkup

I had gotten an eye exam/test done yesterday, it was very fast and thorough. Definitely a great place to get your eyes tested and glasses 👓 from! Not too bad of prices for both the eye test and the glasses either which is great especially when dont have insurance. I highly recommend this place for your vision needs.

3. Village Optical

village-optical

Website: https://villageoptical.ca/ 

Address: 1079 St. Mary’s Road

Contact: (431) 813-2793

Hours:

  • Monday, Thursday, 8:30 AM – 6:00 PM
  • Tuesday-Wednesday, 8:30 AM – 7:30 PM
  • Friday, 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
  • Saturday, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Village Optical structures their paediatric eye care around specific developmental phases, so their team can manage a child’s changing vision effectively.

They also offer targeted clinical therapies to slow down nearsightedness. These myopia management options, like low-dose drops or overnight reshaping lenses, give parents practical ways to protect their children’s sight.

Adults dealing with chronic ocular dryness can access Health Canada-approved DARWIN intense pulsed light (IPL) treatments, safely clearing blocked glands without uncomfortable energy spikes.

The practice even caters to the francophone community by providing comprehensive bilingual exams.

The main drawback is their restricted weekend availability, as they’re closed on Sundays and wrap up by 3:00 PM on Saturdays.

Pros

  • Targeted myopia management therapies
  • Pediatric care structured around developmental phases
  • Advanced IPL treatments for dry eyes
  • English and French services

Cons

  • Limited weekend availability

Customer Reviews

Efficient service and great Long-term care

The office works very efficiently. From check in, to being collected after the appointment to manage billing or begin Eyewear selection. The staff are friendly, knowledgeable and very helpful.

My optometrist (Loewen), whom I’ve been seeing for over a decade is excellent at managing my concerns professionally and with a pragmatism that I appreciate.

A great place to visit for eye care needs and general care.

Kind, compassionate, and exceptional care

The staff are friendly, knowledgeable and helpful. I am very appreciative of Dr. Livingstone who is my optometrist and has always treated me with kindness and compassion. Easily one of the finest Doctors I’ve ever had the privilege to see. Highly recommend.

4. True North Health

true-north-health

Website: https://truenorthhealth.co/ 

Address: 208-1460 Chevrier Blvd

Contact: (204) 500-0076 | Fax: (204) 808-9849 | [email protected] 

Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM

True North Health handles the entire claims process for eligible First Nations and Inuit patients by directly billing Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB). This approach removes the stress of administrative forms and upfront out-of-pocket payments.

They even streamline the scheduling process by letting you book an appointment through a quick text message. The best part is how fast they respond.

Here, trained technicians conduct the physical tests using autorefractors and digital retinal imaging. The data is then securely reviewed in real time by doctors to issue prescriptions and coordinate any treatments. 

The only downside is that initial testing is delivered by technicians, rather than face-to-face evaluations by a doctor throughout the whole visit. Those requiring advanced medical interventions will be referred to an external clinic for treatment.

Pros

  • Direct NIHB insurance billing
  • Fast text-message appointment booking
  • Uses advanced autorefractors and digital retinal imaging
  • Data is reviewed in real time by doctors

Cons

  • Initial tests performed by technicians, not doctors

Customer Reviews

Modern digital experience but pricier

This was a totally different experience than my 30 years at the same optometrist in Elmwood. These guys are all digital, even the Optometrist comes on via computer. It was very expensive though. I usually spend half the amount I did that day at True North. I recommend having money when you go… Although, they are great! I had a good experience.

Best eye exam experience ever

Best eye exam experience ever! And I’ve had a lot of eye exams (lenscrafters, soloway, Costco, Pearl vision, etc). I inquired about eye exams for myself and 2 children and was given the option of the next for appointments,  though I chose the day after that. They arranged and billed for an Uber ride to and from the appointments which was top notch! The optometrist reviewed my comprehensive eye exam, then had a video call with me and was knowledgeable, skilled and helpful. Orthotics fittings, hearing test and VR peripheral test. All professionals were attentive and client focused.

5. Transcona Optical

transcona-optical

Website: https://transconaoptical.ca/ 

Address: 211 Regent Ave West

Contact: (204) 224-2254 | [email protected] 

Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM | Saturday, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM (Closed on Saturdays during the summer and long weekends)

Transcona Optical is made up of optometrists who handle unexpected ocular injuries swiftly and thoroughly. They provide acute medical evaluations for eye emergencies right on site, helping local patients avoid the emergency ward.

Beyond urgent care, the clinic uses Optomap ultra-widefield imaging to capture a panoramic digital view of your retina, catching early signs of disease.

They provide comprehensive surgical co-management, working closely with an ophthalmologist to support your recovery from cataract or glaucoma procedures.

If you wear specialty contacts, the team provides dedicated fittings for irregular corneal conditions.

Keep in mind that they enforce a strict exam recency rule, so you can’t order contact lens refills if your last visit was over 24 months ago.

Additionally, even if you qualify for free home shipping on contacts, the bundled cleaning solutions must be picked up in person.

Pros

  • Acute treatments for eye emergencies
  • Ultra-widefield retinal imaging
  • Dedicated fittings for irregular corneal conditions
  • Surgical co-management support

Cons

  • Mandatory in-person solution pickup
  • Strict 24-month exam recency rule for refills

Customer Reviews

Thorough, stress-free, and welcoming optical care

I recently switched to Transcona Optical after being unhappy with my previous optometrist, and I’m so glad I did. The exam was extremely thorough, and I felt confident that nothing was rushed or overlooked.

Every staff member I interacted with was incredibly kind and pleasant  from reception to the doctor himself. They made me feel comfortable, listened to my concerns, and made the whole experience stress free. They were also extremely gracious and accommodating after I had previously missed an appointment which I truly appreciated.

Extremely friendly staff and detailed exam

The staff were extremely friendly efficient and ontime Dr Alexa was was great explaining exam results in great detail.  This was my best experience in my lifetime visiting the optometrist really appreciated the thorough comprehensive exam and the the Dr took the time to explain thank you very much Dr Alexa and all the staff