Calgary, AB · Walk-ins welcome
Thorough eye care in downtown Calgary
Technology-first eye exams with Optomap retinal imaging in every visit, right in the CORE Shopping Centre. Walk-ins welcome — and Alberta Health fully covers kids and seniors.
Eye care
Complete eye care, one downtown clinic
Most booked
Comprehensive eye exam
A full ~30-minute exam — vision, eye pressure, movements, peripheral vision and a retinal photo, with clear, personalized advice.
Kids & seniors exams
Pediatric-friendly exams (first visit recommended at 6 months) — fully covered by Alberta Health for children under 18 and seniors 65+.
Contact lens exam
Tear-film and corneal assessment, a precise fit, and one-on-one insertion and removal training, with a wide range of lenses.
Medical & emergency eye care
Walk-in care for red eye, infections, floaters, flashes or sudden vision changes — acute issues covered by Alberta Health.
Eye disease management
Diagnosis and ongoing care for glaucoma, cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration and dry eye, with OCT imaging.
Surgical co-management (LASIK)
Pre-op counselling, referrals to trusted laser clinics, and your post-op follow-up exams — all in one place.
About the clinic
Downtown Calgary's clinic for busy professionals
Core Eye Care was founded in 2016 by Dr. Cynthia Du, right inside the CORE Shopping Centre — built around the reality that downtown workers can't take half a day off for a routine exam. Saturday hours, walk-ins and a CTrain-accessible address are the practical answers. We're connected to LensCrafters for frame shopping, but the exam and clinical advice come from Core Eye Care's own optometrists — thorough, technology-first, and never salesy.
- Founded by Dr. Cynthia Du in 2016
- Optomap + OCT imaging in every exam
- Walk-ins + Saturday hours, downtown CORE
- Alberta Health covers kids & seniors
Your optometrists
The doctors caring for your eyes
Calgary-born, graduated with honours from Pacific University, and led a volunteer eye-care mission to Belize that treated over 800 patients. Thorough and genuinely caring.
Doctor of Optometry (2022) with US externships in surgical care, contact lenses, pediatrics and ocular disease. Member of the Canadian and Alberta Associations of Optometrists.
You’ll also be looked after by our optometric assistants, Donna and Bridget, who run pretesting and front-desk care.
Patient stories
4.9 stars from 416 Google reviews
“So incredibly pleased with my experience. As someone who worked in the optical industry for years, it's wonderful to receive such thorough, comprehensive care. Dr. Hassam was knowledgeable and kind, and the whole team clearly cares about patients — and it was exceptionally well priced.”
“Dr. Cynthia Du is great — efficient, friendly and knowledgeable. She was thorough and educated me on my prescription changes and how to manage some symptoms. Not pushy or salesy at all. Thanks Dr. Du!”
“An excellent experience. The optometrist was outstanding — thorough, knowledgeable, and took the time to explain everything. The technical staff were equally impressive. Convenient location and an efficient, comfortable visit. I'll definitely be returning.”
Good to know
Common questions
- Do I need a referral or an appointment?
- No referral needed, and walk-ins are welcome during opening hours — though booking ahead means less waiting. Call 403-290-1535.
- Are eye exams covered by Alberta Health?
- Yes — Alberta Health fully covers exams for children under 18 and seniors 65+, and for acute/medical eye issues at any age.
- What is the Optomap retinal photo?
- It's a wide, 200-degree image of your retina included in every exam — it helps us catch eye-health issues early, without dilation in most cases.
Visit us
In the CORE Shopping Centre
- #332 — 751 3 St SW, Calgary, AB, T2P 4K8
Mon to Fri 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM Saturday 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM Sunday Closed