The Eye Exam Controversy

Silverman Helps performs an opening exam into a man doing eye exams, while Consumer Specialist Jee-Yun explores what you need to know if you’re looking to get your vision checked.

For more information on eye examniations, click here.

How to make a complaint about an eyeglasses dispenser.

You’ve gone to an eye specialist to get your vision checked and you wind up with glasses that don’t let you see right, frames that weren’t what you ordered and treatment you’ve seriously begun to question.

It doesn’t happen often in Ontario, but there’s enough precedent that the province’s College of Opticians has a clear cut policy about who can – and can’t – look after your eye health.

Under the law, only a member of the College of Opticians, the College of Optometrists or the College of Physicians and Surgeons is allowed to legally dispense glasses in the province.

So what if you’ve got a complaint against someone whose vision of treatment doesn’t match yours? Here’s a Q&A:

  Can I make an anonymous complaint?

No. The College isn’t able to act on anonymous complaints as the member who is the subject of the complaint must be in a position to respond fully to the allegation or allegations contained in the complaint.

Can the College make a dispensary give me back my money?

The College of Opticians regulates only Opticians, Student Opticians and Intern Opticians in Ontario. The College has limited legal authority or jurisdiction over optical stores, dispensaries, corporations or their non-optician owners or managers. The College doesn’t have the legal authority to deal with issues that are solely of a monetary nature, such as prices, warranties or refunds, which are not regulated. Should your concerns entail these issues only, please consider contacting the Better Business Bureau or the Small Claims Court.

Can the College give me information about an ongoing investigation?

Unlike the results of the disciplinary hearing, which become a matter of public record, all information relating to the investigation and resolution of complaints is held in the strictest of confidence. The College is prohibited from making any information regarding ongoing and resolved Complaint investigations public knowledge.

What’s the difference between Unauthorized Practice and a Complaint?

A complaint must contain the name of a registered member of the College of Opticians of Ontario. If someone is practicing Opticianry in Ontario who isn’t licensed with the College of Opticians the College of Optometrists of Ontario or the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario, then they’re dispensing illegally and you should be reported using the Unauthorized Practice Form. To get a copy of it, click here. (.pdf format)

What should be in your complaint?

• The name of the person in question
• The name of the business you were dealing with
• The address and phone number
• The time and date of the incident
• A detailed account of the incident
• Any supporting documentation
• Names of witnesses

Send the information to:
Registrar of the College of Opticians of Ontario
902-85 Richmond St. W.
Toronto
M5H 2C9