A costco eye exam typically costs between $70 and $90 in most Canadian provinces, and you do not need a Costco membership to book one. The exam is run by an independent optometrist who leases space near the warehouse, so pricing and insurance acceptance can vary slightly by location. A membership is only required if you plan to buy glasses or contacts afterward.
How much does a costco eye exam cost in Canada?
Prices shift a bit from one warehouse to the next because each optometrist sets their own fees, but the pattern across the country is fairly consistent.
| Service | Typical price (CAD) |
| Comprehensive eye exam | $70 – $90 |
| Contact lens fitting exam | Up to $185 |
| With private vision benefits | Often $0 – $20 copay |
A private optometry office in Ontario usually charges $80 to $120 for the same appointment, so this exam sits at the lower end of the market without cutting corners on the testing itself. We noticed that pricing tends to hold steady year over year at a given location, which is unusual in healthcare, where fees quietly climb. Prices also shift slightly by region: warehouses in Alberta and British Columbia tend to sit near the $75 to $85 mark, while some Quebec locations run closer to $90, largely because rent and staffing costs differ province to province. None of that changes what’s included in the appointment itself.
Do you need a Costco membership for an eye exam?
No. The optometrist’s office is a separate business from the Costco warehouse, even though it’s often built right into the store or attached to it. You can walk in as a non-member, book the appointment, pay the optometrist directly, and leave with a prescription. The only point where membership matters is at the optical counter itself, where frames, lenses and contact lenses are sold under Costco’s retail terms. If you already carry a membership, there’s no extra cost tied to the exam because of that; if you don’t, nothing about the exam changes either.
What happens during a costco eye exam?
This appointment follows the same clinical structure you’d get at any licensed optometry clinic in Canada, using the same regulated testing standards set out by provincial optometry colleges. It typically runs 30 to 45 minutes and covers a few distinct stages. Many locations now use digital retinal imaging rather than the older dilation-only method, which lets the doctor photograph the back of the eye in seconds and compare it against future visits.
Vision and refraction testing
This is the part most people picture: reading letters off a chart while the doctor swaps lenses in front of your eyes to pin down your exact prescription. It’s quick, usually five to ten minutes, and forms the basis of any new glasses or contact lens order.
Eye health check
The optometrist checks internal eye pressure, looks at the retina and optic nerve, and screens for early signs of conditions such as glaucoma or macular changes. Some appointments include pupil dilation, which blurs near vision and increases light sensitivity for a few hours afterward, so bring sunglasses or arrange a ride if that’s part of your visit.
Contact lens fitting (optional)
If you wear or want to switch to contacts, this is billed as a separate service on top of the base exam. The doctor measures the curve of your eye, has you try a trial pair, and walks through insertion, removal and cleaning. Skip this step entirely if you only wear glasses.
Is a costco eye exam covered by insurance in Canada?
Coverage depends heavily on your province and your specific benefits plan, not on Costco itself. In Ontario, OHIP pays for annual eye exams for children under 20, adults 65 and older, and people with a qualifying medical condition like diabetes. Adults between 20 and 64 without one of those conditions generally pay out of pocket unless their employer benefits plan covers vision care.
Most workplace vision plans in Canada, including the major national providers, are accepted at Costco’s optical locations, though acceptance varies by individual optometrist, so it’s worth a quick call before booking. Where coverage applies, patients often pay a small copay rather than the full fee, which brings the real cost of the visit close to zero for many working adults. The Canadian Association of Optometrists recommends an eye exam every one to two years for healthy adults, and annually for children, seniors, and anyone managing a chronic condition that affects eyesight.
How do you book a costco eye exam?
There’s no single national booking system, since each optometrist runs their own schedule. In practice, most Canadians book one of two ways: calling the optical department at their local warehouse directly, or checking whether that location offers online booking through the doctor’s own site. Walk-ins are accepted in many locations, but weekend slots fill quickly, and a Saturday walk-in can mean a wait of an hour or more.
A few things speed up the process. Have your benefits card and group number ready if you’re using insurance. Mention upfront if you need a contact lens fitting, since that adds time to the appointment. And if you’re a first-time patient at that location, arrive ten minutes early to fill out a health history form. Some warehouses post the optical department’s direct line at the entrance rather than routing calls through the main store switchboard, which saves a transfer or two if you’re calling during a busy weekend shift.
FAQ
How much is a costco eye exam without insurance?
Without coverage, expect to pay somewhere between $70 and $90 for a standard comprehensive exam in most Canadian cities, with contact lens fittings priced separately on top of that.
Do you need a Costco membership to get one?
No. The eye exam itself doesn’t require a Costco membership anywhere in Canada. You only need one to purchase eyewear from the optical counter afterward.
How long does the appointment take?
Most appointments run 30 to 45 minutes, though it can stretch longer if your eyes are dilated or you’re also getting a contact lens fitting. Booking the first appointment slot of the day tends to shave a few minutes off the wait, since the schedule hasn’t slipped yet.
Does OHIP cover a costco eye exam?
OHIP covers it for children, seniors 65 and older, and adults with certain medical conditions. Most other adults pay out of pocket or rely on workplace vision benefits.
