Short answer first
In BC, what you pay for an eye exam depends mostly on your age. For children 18 and under and seniors 65 and over, a full eye exam is covered yearly by MSP. At Guildford Eye Clinic there is no extra fee on top of that covered exam. For adults 19 to 64, a routine eye exam is not covered by MSP. Our comprehensive adult exam is $99 with MSP, and OCT retinal imaging is included at no extra charge.
There is one important exception for adults. A medically necessary visit, such as a red eye, eye pain, an injury, an infection, or a sudden change in vision, is covered by MSP for all ages. We tell you which kind of visit applies before the exam starts, so you know what to expect at the front desk.
Guildford Eye Clinic is an independent optometry clinic run by Dr. Lin and Dr. Xue Optometry, inside Specsavers at Guildford Town Centre in Surrey. Specsavers is the retail dispensary in the same space. We provide the clinical exam, and the prices on this page are for our clinical care.
Eye exam cost in BC at a glance
Here is how a comprehensive eye exam is billed at our Surrey clinic for patients with BC MSP coverage:
- Kids and teens, 18 and under: a full eye exam is covered yearly by MSP, with no extra fee on top. Our children's eye exam page explains the visit.
- Adults, 19 to 64: a routine comprehensive exam is $99 with MSP and includes OCT retinal imaging. Many private plans reimburse part or all of it, and we direct bill most of them.
- Seniors, 65 and over: a full eye exam is covered yearly by MSP, with no balance billing at our clinic. Details are on our senior eye exam page.
- Any age, medically necessary visit: covered by MSP. Examples include a red eye, pain, an injury, an infection, new flashes and floaters, or a sudden change in vision.
Without BC MSP coverage, for example if you are new to the province and your coverage has not started yet, the comprehensive exam is $140 for adults and seniors and $50 for children.
What does MSP cover for adults 19 to 64?
This is the question we hear most at the front desk. For most working-age adults in BC, a routine eye exam is not covered by MSP. A routine exam is the visit you book because it has been a year or two, your glasses feel weaker, or you want your eye health checked. That is the $99 comprehensive exam (for adults with MSP) at our clinic.
A medically necessary visit is different. If you come in because something is wrong, such as a painful red eye, something stuck in the eye, an eye infection, or vision that changed suddenly, that visit is covered by MSP for adults too. Some ongoing conditions can also fall under medically necessary care, such as a diabetic eye exam or a visit for an eye condition you were referred for.
You do not need to sort this out yourself before you call. Tell us why you want to be seen, and we will explain which type of visit applies before the exam begins. If you have an urgent problem, phone first at (604) 229-9627 so we can triage and fit you in when a doctor is available. More on that is on our emergency eye care in Surrey page.
Are children's eye exams free in BC?
For children 18 and under with BC MSP coverage, a full eye exam is covered yearly by MSP. At Guildford Eye Clinic we do not add a fee on top of that covered exam, so for most Surrey families the yearly kids eye exam has no out-of-pocket cost.
We see kids of all ages, including young children who cannot read a letter chart yet. A child's first eye exam uses tests that match their age, so they do not have to answer letters they do not know. We take the time to explain the results to parents in plain language, and in Mandarin, Punjabi, or Korean when schedule allows.
Two things are separate from the covered exam, and we tell you before either is added. A contact lens prescription, or a form the school or insurer requires, is a $49 add-on. A myopia control program for a nearsighted child is also a separate program that MSP does not cover. We explain every cost before anything begins, and we direct bill most insurance plans. For a parent-focused version of this answer, read Does MSP cover kids eye exams in BC?
Do seniors pay for eye exams in BC?
Seniors 65 and over with BC MSP coverage have a full eye exam covered yearly by MSP. At our clinic there is no balance billing, which means we do not charge an extra amount on top of what MSP pays for that exam. OCT retinal imaging is included.
A yearly senior eye exam should look inside the eye, not only update glasses. We check for cataracts, glaucoma risk, and macular changes, and we compare each new OCT scan with the last one. When something needs a specialist, we explain the referral path and can co-manage care with your family doctor. Seniors and their families can read more in Does MSP cover eye exams for seniors 65+ in BC?
What is included in the $99 adult eye exam (with MSP)?
The adult price covers a comprehensive eye exam, not a quick vision screening. At Guildford Eye Clinic that includes:
- A vision check and an updated glasses prescription
- An eye health assessment by the optometrist
- OCT retinal imaging, which is a detailed scan of the retina and optic nerve, included at no extra charge
- Dry eye and eye health screening
- A clear explanation of your results before you leave
Here OCT is standard on the comprehensive exam, for adults, kids, and seniors. Your first scan becomes a baseline that later scans are compared against, which helps us notice small changes over time. For the full walkthrough, see what a comprehensive eye exam actually checks and why OCT is included in every exam.
What costs extra, and how you find out
You pay at the front desk. Anything that costs extra is explained before it is added, so the amount at the end matches what you were told. There is no surprise bill after the exam.
The add-on most people ask about is $49, and it applies to either a contact lens prescription or a required form, such as a school, driver's, or insurance form. A glasses prescription is not the same as a contact lens prescription, because contacts sit on the eye and need their own measurements and fit check. Our guide on contact lens exams vs glasses prescriptions explains why. Glasses and frames are separate from the exam fee.
Does private insurance cover an eye exam?
Many extended health plans reimburse part or all of an adult eye exam. How much depends on your plan, so check your benefits booklet or app if you want an exact answer before you come in.
We direct bill most insurance plans, including plans such as Pacific Blue Cross, Sun Life, and Manulife. When direct billing works for your plan, you usually pay only the part your plan does not cover. Bring your insurance details, including the plan member's name and policy information, to the visit. We tell you the amount at the front desk before you sit down for the exam.
How often should you book an eye exam?
For kids and seniors, the covered exam is yearly, and a yearly exam is a good rhythm for most people in those age groups. Children's eyes change quickly, and nearsightedness that keeps getting stronger is easier to manage when it is caught early. Seniors benefit from regular checks for cataracts, glaucoma, and macular changes, which can develop without early symptoms.
For adults 19 to 64, the right interval depends on your eyes, your health, and your family history. Your optometrist will suggest one at the end of your exam. If you have diabetes, high prescriptions, or a family history of glaucoma, you may need to be seen more often. Coverage rules can change, so confirm current MSP details when you book.
Booking an eye exam in Surrey
We are on the upper level of Guildford Town Centre in Surrey, inside Specsavers: Unit 2309, 10355 152 Street, Surrey, BC V3R 7C1. Mall parking is available. Set your GPS to Specsavers Guildford. After parking, take the mall entrance closest to Scotiabank; Specsavers is the second store on your left.
Book online for a routine adult, kids, or senior exam. Exams are available in English, Mandarin, Punjabi, and Korean when schedule allows, which helps parents and grandparents ask about costs and results in the language they think in. Our language guide has the details. For anything urgent, call (604) 229-9627 first. To compare visit types, start on our eye exam in Surrey page.
Eye exam cost and MSP FAQ
How much does an eye exam cost in BC?
It depends on age. For children 18 and under and seniors 65 and over with BC MSP coverage, a full eye exam is covered yearly by MSP, with no extra fee on top at Guildford Eye Clinic. For adults 19 to 64, a routine comprehensive exam is not covered by MSP; it is $99 at our Surrey clinic for adults with MSP, with OCT retinal imaging included. Medically necessary visits are covered by MSP for all ages.
Does MSP cover eye exams for adults in BC?
Not for a routine exam. Adults 19 to 64 pay for a routine comprehensive eye exam, which is $99 for adults with MSP at Guildford Eye Clinic. A medically necessary visit, such as a red eye, pain, an injury, an infection, or a sudden change in vision, is covered by MSP for adults too. We explain which type applies before the exam starts.
Are children's eye exams free in BC?
For children 18 and under with BC MSP coverage, a full eye exam is covered yearly by MSP. Guildford Eye Clinic does not add a fee on top of that covered exam. A contact lens prescription or a required form is a separate add-on, and a myopia control program is separate from the covered exam. We explain any extra before it is added.
Do seniors pay for an eye exam in BC?
Seniors 65 and over with BC MSP coverage have a full eye exam covered yearly by MSP. At Guildford Eye Clinic there is no balance billing on that exam, and OCT retinal imaging is included.
What does an eye exam cost without MSP?
Without BC MSP coverage, for example before your coverage starts after moving to BC, a comprehensive eye exam at Guildford Eye Clinic is $140 for adults and seniors and $50 for children.
Is OCT an extra charge?
No. OCT retinal imaging is included in every comprehensive eye exam at Guildford Eye Clinic, for adults, kids, and seniors.
Do you direct bill insurance?
Yes. We direct bill most insurance plans, including plans such as Pacific Blue Cross, Sun Life, and Manulife. When direct billing works for your plan, you usually pay only the part your plan does not cover. Bring your insurance details to the visit.
Will there be a surprise bill after the exam?
No. You pay at the front desk, and anything that costs extra, such as a $49 contact lens prescription or a required form, is explained before it is added.
This article is for general education and is not a substitute for a personalized eye examination. Coverage details and fees can change; confirm current MSP rules and insurance billing when you book.