Contact Lenses in Montréal

Contact lenses are medical devices that sit directly on the eye, so they are fitted, not just sold. At PrimeVision, an optometrist chooses the lens for your eye, lets you try it, checks how it sits and how you see with it, and only then confirms your contact lens prescription.

Whether you already wear contacts or want to try them for the first time, the fitting is done at our clinic at 9520 Bd de l'Acadie, near Marché Central, after an up-to-date eye exam.

Why a glasses prescription is not enough

A lens that sits on the eye does not need the same power as a lens that sits in a frame a centimetre in front of it, especially for stronger prescriptions. A contact lens also has a curvature and a diameter that have to match the shape of your cornea. A lens that is too tight or too loose can be uncomfortable, blur your vision or deprive the eye of oxygen. That is why a contact lens prescription is separate from a glasses prescription and comes from a fitting.

In practice, a contact lens prescription specifies things a glasses prescription does not: the brand and model of the lens, its base curve, its diameter and its power adjusted for the eye. Two people with the same glasses prescription can end up in very different contact lenses.

How a contact lens fitting works

  1. Eye exam. We start from an up-to-date eye exam and your glasses prescription, and we examine the front of the eye to confirm contact lenses are a good option for you.
  2. Lens selection. Your optometrist picks a lens based on your prescription, the shape of your eye, your tear film and how you plan to wear your lenses.
  3. Trial. You wear trial lenses. We check the fit, the movement of the lens and your vision with it, and ask how it feels.
  4. Follow-up. You come back after wearing the lenses in real life. If something is not right, we change the lens and try again.
  5. Prescription. Once the fit is confirmed, your contact lens prescription is finalized and you can order your supply.

If you are new to contact lenses, we teach you how to put them in, take them out and look after them before you leave with your trial pair.

Learning to put in and remove your lenses

The first few times take some practice, and that is normal. During the session we stay with you until you are comfortable. A few pointers:

  • Wash and dry your hands well, and keep your nails short
  • Always start with the same eye, so you never mix up the right and left lens
  • Check that the lens is not inside out: it should form a small bowl with evenly rounded edges
  • Look up or to the side while you place the lens, then blink gently
  • If the lens stings or your vision stays blurry, take it out, rinse it with solution and try again

Types of contact lenses

  • Daily disposables. A fresh pair every day and nothing to clean. The simplest and most hygienic option, and ideal for occasional wear.
  • Two-week and monthly lenses. Cleaned and stored each night, and replaced on schedule.
  • Toric lenses. Designed to correct astigmatism.
  • Multifocal lenses. For people over 40 who want to see at distance and up close without reading glasses.

Daily or monthly: how to choose

Dailies suit you well if you wear lenses a few days a week, for sport or evenings out, or if you do not want any lens care. Two-week and monthly lenses need a routine every night: rub and rinse them with the recommended solution, store them in a clean case filled with fresh solution, and replace the case regularly. Never add fresh solution to old solution. Your optometrist recommends the option that fits your prescription, your eyes and your schedule.

Astigmatism: toric lenses

With astigmatism, the cornea is not curved the same way in every direction. A toric lens corrects that difference, but it has to stay oriented the right way on the eye. During the trial we check that it settles in place and does not rotate when you blink. If your vision fluctuates, we try another design.

After 40: multifocal lenses

From about age 40, the eye gradually loses its ability to focus up close: this is presbyopia. Multifocal contact lenses let you see at distance and up close without reading glasses for most activities. They often need an adaptation period, and vision can be slightly less crisp than with glasses in some situations. The trial is there to confirm that the result works for you day to day.

Keeping your eyes healthy in contact lenses

  • Wash and dry your hands before touching your lenses
  • Replace your lenses on the schedule you were given, never later
  • Never sleep in lenses unless your optometrist has told you that yours are approved for it
  • Never rinse or store lenses in water, and take them out before showering, swimming or using a hot tub
  • Always keep an up-to-date pair of glasses for the days your eyes need a break
  • Take your lenses out and call us if an eye is red, painful or blurry

How often do I need to be rechecked?

A contact lens prescription is valid for one year. A yearly recheck confirms that your eyes are still healthy under the lenses and that the lens is still the right one. We cannot renew a contact lens order on an expired prescription, and that rule protects your eyes.

Ordering your contact lenses

Once your prescription is confirmed, you can order your supply from us in clinic or by phone at 514-827-7463. Many insurance plans cover contact lenses under vision care, and we bill most major insurers directly. RAMQ covers eye exams for adults 65+ and for children under 18; we see children from age 4.

Prefer glasses on some days? Our optician in Montréal also makes your prescription glasses on site.

Frequently asked questions

Where can I buy contact lenses in Montréal?

You can buy contact lenses in Montréal at PrimeVision, an optometry clinic and optical store at 9520 boulevard de l'Acadie, Suite 222, open Monday to Saturday. A first pair starts with a contact lens fitting, since a glasses prescription is not enough to order lenses; once your contact lens prescription is confirmed, you can order your supply in the clinic or by phone. We serve you in French and English. Book online: the times shown are the open ones.

Can I order contact lenses with my glasses prescription?

No. A glasses prescription does not include the curvature, the diameter or the model of the lens. You need a contact lens fitting to get a valid contact lens prescription.

Can I wear contact lenses if I have astigmatism?

In many cases, yes. Toric lenses are designed to correct astigmatism. The trial confirms that they stay stable and that your vision is clear.

Can I sleep in my contact lenses?

No, unless your optometrist has confirmed that your lenses are approved for it. Sleeping in lenses that are not approved raises the risk of infection.

I am over 40. Is it too late to try contacts?

No. Multifocal lenses are designed for presbyopia. Your optometrist will tell you after the exam whether they are a good option for you.

My eye is red and painful. What should I do?

Take your lenses out right away, do not put them back in, and call us at 514-827-7463 to see an optometrist.

Book a contact lens fitting

Book online or call 514-827-7463. PrimeVision is at 9520 Bd de l'Acadie, Suite 222, Montréal. From the neighbourhood? See our page on our optometrist in Ahuntsic, near Marché Central. See also: our pages on eye exams in Montréal and optometrists in Montréal.

Further reading: our articles on contact lenses