5 Best Eye Clinics in Winnipeg with Top Tech and Real Care
I used to go to the eye clinic near me, but now, I’m a regular at the one a couple of blocks away. Why? The difference in both places is huge!
Not only does my new clinic have better pricing, but they’re also quite friendly and are always on time for my appointments. Even though they’re a bit further away from my home, the extra perks I get are totally worth it.
I rounded up the best eye clinics in Winnipeg. These spots offer amazing service and quality care—definitely worth the trip!
How much does an eye exam cost in Winnipeg?
In Winnipeg, a comprehensive eye exam for adults usually ranges from $119 to $155 out of pocket. For children under 19 and seniors over 65, the basic exam is covered by Manitoba Health.
Clinics may charge an additional fee of $30 to $65 for advanced imaging or specialized tests.
1. Academy Optical
Address: 1-525 Academy Rd
Phone: +1 204-488-2800
Business hours:
- Monday: 9 AM–5 PM
- Tuesday: 11 AM–7 PM
- Wed – Thurs: 10 AM–6 PM
- Saturday: 9 AM–3 PM
Academy Optical is led by Dr. Dhaliwal, who has been practicing in the province since 2011. Not only is she experienced in handling cornea care, but she also conducts exams in Hindi and Punjabi, allowing her to serve a diverse clientele.
Her clinic is known for specialized Dry Eye Therapy programs; these treatments are designed to get rid of any gritty discomfort, restoring moisture and vision quality.
They also cater to the younger crowd through their Myopia Control services. Be it Atropine Eye Drops or MiYOSMART Lenses, they have the tools to slow down nearsightedness effectively.
And for those dreaming of a life without frames, they offer comprehensive laser vision consultations. By the time you leave, you’ll know whether you’re a good candidate.
While their services are undeniably top-tier, the secret is definitely out—it might be tricky to snag an appointment due to high demand.
I left feeling well taken care of
“I had a great experience here! The receptionist was really kind and easy to talk to, which made checking in feel very smooth and welcoming. The doctor took the time to explain everything clearly and made the whole process of getting my eyes checked really comfortable. I left feeling well taken care of and confident about my eye health. Definitely recommend!”
— Sahib Chauhan, Google Review
Extremely professional and kind!
“Academy Optical is extremely professional and kind! All the staff are very helpful and kind, I learnt a lot about my eyes with my eye exam and got a great pair of glasses! Thank you so much :)”
— mimi zohni, Google Review
2. Armstrong & Small in the Village
Address: 134 Osborne St, Suite A
Phone: +1 204-477-1636
Business hours: Mon – Fri: 9 AM–5 PM
Unlike other clinics, Armstrong & Small in the Village’s team has several optometrists, so you always have access to expert care no matter your schedule.
One of the brightest stars on the team is Dr. Madeleine Schichardt, OD, who is consistently praised by clients for her incredible bedside manner. It’s no surprise she’s so thorough—she graduated Summa Cum Laude from the Illinois College of Optometry.
Her clinic is a go-to for comprehensive eye exams for the whole family, from children to seniors. These assessments help identify risks for damaging eye conditions early on.
Speaking of which, they treat a wide range of eye issues such as cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy.
The only real catch is that they can be pricey compared to big-box optical chains.
I feel blessed to be a client of Dr.Schuchardt
“I feel blessed to be a client of Dr.Schuchardt. I appreciate her compassion for others from all walks of life. I especially enjoy how any questions I have or concerns are met with patience and clarity. I’ve been referred to another specialist and feel that she takes my health seriously in the long run. It’s not that often we visit our optometrists, but when I visit here, I am reminded how lucky I am!”
— James Bergeron, Google Review
Had a fantastic experience with Dr. Schuchardt!
“I booked my first eye exam in many years with Dr. Madeleine Schuchardt and had a fantastic experience! As someone who gets nervous sometimes from appts like this, I really appreciated the time and care that the team here took to make me feel comfortable. The insights that Dr. Schuchardt shared during the appointment were also super interesting! Thank you.”
— Reid Valmestad, Google Review
3. Waverley Eye Care Centre
Address: 1200 Waverley St unit 1
Phone: +1 204-487-1901
Business hours:
- Mon – Wed, Fri: 9 AM–5 PM
- Thursday: 12 PM–8 PM
- Saturday: 9 AM–1 PM
Waverley Eye Care Centre is located in the south end of Winnipeg, making it a popular choice for residents of Linden Woods and Whyte Ridge.
One of the favorites here is Dr. Friesen, who actually served on the Optometry Examining Board of Canada. Her specialty lies in children’s vision, including amblyopia or lazy eye and vision therapy.
Digital eye strain management is another niche of theirs—they can suggest adjustments like simple eye exercises or specific computer eyewear to minimize screen fatigue.
What we love about this place is its flexibility. Not only do they accept walk-ins, but they also allow evening appointments once a week and even have Saturday availability.
Unfortunately, a few former clients have told us that some of the doctors here felt a bit passive-aggressive.
She is extremely thorough and personable
“I have been going to Dr. Selena Friesen for many years and have referred her to many of my colleagues over the years. She is extremely thorough and personable, and I have full trust in her. The staff is also very pleasant. I would not hesitate to refer Dr. Friesen and this eye centre to anyone.”
— Patricia Tognet, Google Review
Always been very professional and helpful
“I’ve been working with Dr Selena Friesen on my vision issues for a decade. She’s always been very professional and helpful in improving my eyesight and dry eye. As well, Jacey (sp?) is a whiz at finding flattering frames.”
— Carol Carver, Google Review
4. Henderson Vision Centre
Address: 1439 Henderson Hwy, Unit 1B
Phone: +1 204-582-2308
Business hours:
- Mon – Wed: 8:30 AM–5:30 PM
- Thursday: 8:30 AM–7 PM
- Friday: 9 AM–4 PM
- Saturday: 9 AM–3 PM
For over four decades, Henderson Vision Centre has been providing high-quality optometric care in the Peg. Part of the reason for their longevity is their ability to keep up with new advancements in the field.
This comes in handy for specialized services like diabetic eye exams and management. Depending on your needs, they can guide you through advanced options like photocoagulation and anti-VEGF therapy.
Similarly, the team is big on glaucoma prevention—very crucial since this condition is one of the leading causes of blindness. They use their advanced diagnostic suite to spot this issue before it worsens.
We recommend checking out the ongoing promotions on their website before visiting; you can actually score up to 30% off eye care products.
A downside we heard about is their unfriendly staff, which can certainly put a damper on your visit.
They worked like a well-oiled machine
“They worked like a well-oiled machine. I checked in, sat for 5 minutes, and was taken to a room for a test for my eyes. The test was explained, done, and I was moved to two different machines for more tests. Once those were done, I was taken to the exam room, examined by Dr. Melo, my glasses cleaned, and was on my way.”
— Maureen Crump, Google Review
Appointments always commence when scheduled
“Another pleasant visit to Henderson Vision Centre. I have been attending here for a number of years. They are prompt, and my appointments always commence when scheduled. The staff are thorough and address any concerns raised. I do recommend Henderson Vision Centre for your eye care needs.”
— Bob Dolyniuk, Google Review
5. Village Optical
Address: 1079 St Mary’s Rd
Phone: +1 204-253-9219
Business hours:
- Mon, Thurs: 8:30 AM–6 PM
- Tue – Wed: 8:30 AM–7:30 PM
- Friday: 9 AM–6 PM
- Saturday: 9 AM–3 PM
Village Optical has been protecting the eyesight of Winnipeggers for over 30 years. The majority of their new patients come from word-of-mouth recommendations, which is incredibly reassuring.
The team is experienced in handling children’s eye exams. They’re gentle yet thorough, making sure no underlying conditions are holding your little one back.
As for lenses, a unique offering they have is Ortho-K. These are specialized lenses you can wear while you sleep to temporarily reshape your cornea.
We like that they accept a wide range of insurance providers and not just the major ones. Examples include the Chamber of Commerce Group Insurance Plan and Cowan Insurance Group.
Keep in mind that every neighborhood gem has its quirks, and in this case, they seem to have a grumpy receptionist.
Absolutely wonderful job with my 4-year-old
“Absolutely wonderful job with my 4-year-old. You can tell they have lots of experience working with young children. Dr. Cody van Dijk made the visit fun for her.”
— Amber L, Google Review
Very patient and knows how to interact with children
“Dr. Allison has done the annual check-ups for my two daughters recently. She is very patient and knows how to interact with children, so both of my girls feel comfortable and cooperate very well during the visits. The front desk staff is also warm, welcoming, and friendly. Thank you so much.”
— Y F, Google Review