Patient Information
COVID-19 Protocols
Please respect our staff during your visit and adhere to the safety measures put in place throughout our office.
We have a zero tolerance policy for abusive behaviour.
​
In order to prioritize the safety of our most vulnerable staff and patients, we require the use of face masks throughout our office and any appointments booked at the Comox Valley hospital. Patients and guests must adhere to our mask protocol within our office at all times. If a patient refuses to wear a mask or at any point removes their mask during their visit, all care will immediately stop. Those who have health concerns which prevent the use of a face masks must disclose this information prior to accepting an appointment from our office so we can arrange alternative ways of seeking care. By accepting an appointment from our office means you are accepting our mask policy. We appreciate your cooperation and continued efforts in keeping our most vulnerable patients safe.
​
We ask for patients to arrive at their scheduled appointment time. Please do not arrive more than 15 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment. Due to limited parking and seating, staff will ask you to come back closer to your scheduled appointment time if you have arrive outside of the 15 minute window.
​
During your appointment, we ask that you limit the amount of movement in the waiting room. We encourage frequent hand sanitization throughout your visit.
For more information on local response to the COVID-19 pandemic, please go to:
https://www.islandhealth.ca/learn-about-health/covid-19.
New Patients
Please expect to be at your appointment for approximately 2 hours.
Your visit may include pupil dilation, vision testing, consultation, and additional specialty testing.
​
Pupil dilation may last 4-6 hours and will cause your vision to blur. We ask that all patients be driven to and from their appointment for this reason.
​
Please arrange a driver or alternate transportation if you are to be dilated.
​
Please do not wear contact lenses to your appointment.
​
Please bring the following with you to your appointment:
-
Your Care Card
-
A list of all current medications
-
Any eyes drops you are taking, *please bring in the physical bottle(s) so we can mark down accurate dosage and frequency
-
Prescription Glasses *if you wear them regularly for watching television and/or driving
-
A list of all physicians, optometrists and specialists involved in your care
-
Sunglasses to wear after your visit for comfort after dilation
Returning Patients
Please expect to be at your appointment for approximately 1 hour.
​
Your visit may include pupil dilation, vision testing, consultation, and additional specialty testing.
​
Pupil dilation may last 4-6 hours and will cause your vision to blur. We ask that all patients be driven to and from their appointment for this reason.
​
Please arrange a driver or alternate transportation if you are to be dilated.
​
Please do not wear contact lenses to your appointment.
​
Please bring the following with you to your appointment:
-
Your Care Card
-
An updated list of all current medications
-
Any eyes drops you are taking, *please bring in the physical bottle(s) so we can mark down accurate dosage and frequency
-
Prescription Glasses *if you wear them regularly for watching television and/or driving
-
An updated list of all physicians, optometrists and specialists involved in your care
-
Sunglasses to wear after your visit for comfort after dilation
Length of appointment depends on type of consult and
associated diagnostic testing.
​
For general inquiries or any questions related to an upcoming appointment, please email info@westcoastophthalmology.com
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a same-day appointment?
Do you offer walk-in clinic services?
We do not offer walk-in services. We are a referral-based clinic.
You must be referred to us by a family doctor, specialist or optometrist. Once we have received your referral, we will call you to book an appointment. Please note, the average wait-time for a non-urgent referral is 3-6 months. If you are a current patient of our office and have any questions or concerns, please call our office at (250) 334-4030. If it is an emergency, please call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
Is your office wheelchair accessible?
Yes! We are on the ground floor and have one handicapped parking space available directly out front of our office. Please let us know if you require any additional assistance during your visit.
Are your services covered by my insurance?
Consultations with Dr. Shaver and additional testing are fully covered under BC Medical/MSP. Starting January 1, 2023, we will be increasing our cataract lens calculation fee. This fee only relates to lens calculations for cataract surgery and does not apply to your initial consultation. You will be informed if this fee applies to you.
Can you update my glasses prescriptions?
We do not provide prescriptions for glasses. Please book an appointment with an optometrist for all eye-wear related inquiries.
Is there parking?
Our office is on the upper west-facing ground floor level of a two-level strata complex, and shares a parking lot with two other businesses. Due to limited parking, we kindly ask all drivers drop patients off and keep the spaces open in front of our office for those who require additional assistance. There is a Thrifty's directly across from our office which has ample parking. Our office is also nearby several cafes, restaurants and other amenities. Please let a receptionist know if you require additional assistance during your visit so we can try to accommodate an available parking stall upon your arrival.