FAQ

Yes — always. The price shown on our product pages is what you pay. We don't add handling fees, processing fees, or surprise charges at checkout. The only additions are applicable taxes and shipping (free on orders over $130). We built it this way on purpose — hidden fees at checkout are one of the most common frustrations with buying contacts online, and we refuse to do it.

On core brands like Acuvue, Alcon, Bausch + Lomb, and CooperVision, our prices are among the lowest in Canada. More importantly, our prices are final prices — some competitors advertise a low per-box price and then add $10–$20 in fees at checkout. Always compare final checkout totals, not just advertised prices.

We're also a Canadian-owned company with 10 physical locations across Alberta and Saskatchewan, so you're getting competitive pricing while supporting a local Canadian business.

Yes. If you find a lower final price (including all fees and shipping) on an identical product from a legitimate Canadian retailer, contact us at online@secondspecs.com and we'll do our best to match it.

Direct insurance billing is available only in our physical store locations — we direct bill most major Canadian insurers in-store. For online orders, you pay upfront and we provide a detailed receipt you can submit to your insurer for reimbursement. Most extended health plans cover contact lenses annually.

Manulife, Sunlife, Canadalife, Johnston Group, CINUP, Blue Cross (ABC, Medavie), Quickcard, GMS, Cowan, Group Health, Group Source, Claim Secure, Great West Life, Empire Life, Chamber of Commerce, CCWU, The Co-operators, IA Financial Group, First Canadian, Union Benefits, Next Gen, AISH / Social Services, Alberta Works, NIHB / Treaty.

Please ask if your insurance is not on this list as we are constantly adding new providers. Note that we can only direct bill in store, not online.

Yes — a 90-pack typically works out significantly cheaper per lens than a 30-pack. We also run seasonal promotions on popular brands. Sign up for our email list to hear about sales before they go live.

During checkout you'll enter your prescription values: power (sphere), base curve, and diameter. For astigmatism lenses you'll also add cylinder and axis. For multifocal lenses, include your add power. All these values appear on your contact lens prescription from your optometrist.

Note: a glasses prescription is not the same as a contact lens prescription — make sure you're using the correct one. It can be emailed to us at online@secondspecs.com

For in-store orders, we can make most single vision prescription glasses in as little as 30 minutes. For higher prescriptions, transitions, polarized, safety or progressive lenses we typically quote 10 days.

For online orders, single vision and readers are made same day and can often ship the same day — expect 3–5 business days delivery. For progressive lenses, bifocals, light adaptive, safety and polarized we quote 7–10 business days.

Note: we cannot start your order until we receive your glasses prescription. Email it to online@secondspecs.com

Yes — this is very common. During checkout you'll enter separate prescription values for each eye. Most people have at least slightly different prescriptions between left and right.

Email us at online@secondspecs.com with the brand and product name. We can often source lenses not currently listed, or suggest a clinically equivalent alternative.

Yes, when buying from a reputable retailer with a valid prescription. Second Specs sells only name-brand lenses from authorized Canadian distributors. We've operated since 2013 with 10 physical store locations you can walk into. Your lenses are the exact same product your optometrist would sell you, just at a better price.

Great choice! Key things to know: all prices shown are final (no added fees at checkout), free shipping on orders over $130, and your contacts often ship directly from the manufacturer so they arrive quickly. Have your contact lens prescription ready — you'll enter the values during checkout. Questions? Email online@secondspecs.com

We would be happy to adjust glasses purchased from us at any time, free of charge, at any of our store locations.

We reserve the right to refuse adjustments on glasses purchased elsewhere as there is always a risk of breakage.

Most contact lens orders ship within 1–2 business days. Many brands ship directly from the manufacturer's Canadian warehouse. Delivery typically takes 3–7 business days depending on your location. You'll receive a tracking number by email once your order ships.

Yes — free shipping on all orders over $130. Since most contact lens orders easily reach this threshold, the majority of our customers pay nothing for shipping. No hidden shipping fees added after the fact.

Yes, we ship contact lenses across Canada. Please note that contacts cannot be shipped to PO boxes — a physical address is required.

Yes, we can ship orders to the United States. Additional shipping costs and possible duties will apply. We will confirm the full cost with you before charging your card. More Info

We use Canada Post to ship glasses orders. Contact lens orders may ship directly from the manufacturer using their preferred carrier.

Please note that contact lenses cannot be shipped to PO boxes at this time. More Info

They are not the same. A contact lens prescription includes additional measurements: base curve (BC) and diameter (DIA), which determine how the lens fits your eye. Always use a contact lens prescription — not a glasses prescription — when ordering contacts online.

Canadian regulations require a valid, current contact lens prescription for purchase. Most prescriptions are valid for 1–2 years. If yours has lapsed, we recommend booking an eye exam for your vision health and to get an updated prescription.

Yes — we carry a full range of toric lenses from all major brands including Acuvue Moist for Astigmatism, Biofinity Toric, AIR OPTIX for Astigmatism, and more. Enter your cylinder and axis values in addition to your sphere power when ordering.

Yes. We carry multifocal options from Acuvue, Bausch + Lomb, Alcon, and CooperVision. Your prescription will include an "add" power value — make sure you have this before ordering.

We carry all four major manufacturers: Johnson & Johnson (Acuvue), Alcon (Dailies TOTAL1, AIR OPTIX, TOTAL30), Bausch + Lomb (ULTRA, Biotrue, SofLens), and CooperVision (Biofinity, Proclear, clariti). Within each brand we stock dailies, bi-weeklies, monthlies, toric, multifocal, and colour options.

Top-rated options for dry eyes include Acuvue Oasys 1-Day (HydraLuxe technology), Alcon TOTAL30 (water gradient surface), and Bausch + Lomb Biotrue ONEday. The best choice depends on your individual eyes and how long you wear lenses daily — your optometrist can advise. We carry all of these.

100% yes. We purchase exclusively through authorized Canadian distributors for all major manufacturers. You receive the exact same product your eye doctor would sell you — same lens, same packaging, same lot numbers — at a better price. We are not a grey-market retailer.

Yes, we carry coloured contacts including prescription and plano (zero power) options from reputable, Health Canada approved manufacturers. We do not sell unregulated costume or novelty lenses — these can cause serious eye injuries.

If there is an issue with your order, email us at online@secondspecs.com and we'll sort it out. Unopened boxes in original condition are generally eligible for return. Opened boxes cannot be returned for hygiene reasons — but if there's a product defect or an error on our end, we will make it right.

We always aim to make sure our customers love our products, but if you do need to return an order we're happy to help. Just email us directly and we'll take you through the process. online@secondspecs.com

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Frames are warrantied against manufacturer defects for 12 months. Lenses are warrantied against coating defects for 12 months.

If your doctor issues a change in prescription, you have 90 days for a prescription change at no additional charge.

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We have 10 locations across the prairies: Edmonton (Londonderry Mall, West Edmonton Mall), Calgary (CrossIron Mills, Market Mall, Sunridge Mall), Sherwood Park (with optometry), St. Albert, Airdrie, Strathmore (with optometry), Grande Prairie, and Saskatoon.

See all locations, hours and directions

Yes — we have experienced optometrists at our Sherwood Park and Strathmore locations, offering comprehensive eye exams including OCT and Optomap retinal imaging.

Book online or call those locations directly.

Absolutely — many in-store customers do exactly this. Head to our contact lens store, find your brand, and enter your contact lens prescription at checkout. In-store staff are happy to help you find your prescription details.