Dr. Michael Dennis
President, CAO
Seventy-six percent of Canadians report having a vision issue and almost one million Canadians have missed work or school, or have had their performance affected because of vision problems. An estimated 6.1 million Canadians are living with one of the four major eye diseases that can cause blindness. While vision loss has been identified by Canadians as their most feared disability, they have not embraced eye health and vision care as part of an approach to their overall health.
Given that 75% of vision loss can be treated or prevented if detected early, we want to encourage Canadians to be proactive in their vision health. But effective prevention requires regular visits to an optometrist, the primary eye care specialist patients see first for their vision care needs. Optometrists are uniquely well-positioned to deliver cost-effective early detection, prevention, and treatment of eye diseases and disorders through a comprehensive eye examination.
Given that 75% of vision loss can be treated or prevented if detected early, we want to encourage Canadians to be proactive in their vision health.
Early detection means early treatment
A comprehensive eye examination is an important first step in determining the current level of vision and the cause of any sight loss, and establishing an optimal treatment plan. Given that many eye problems have no symptoms, early detection is crucial. In fact, an optometrist is able to detect beyond eye disease, and can see the early signs of other chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and even brain tumours.
There are approximately 6,000 optometrists across Canada, located in almost every community, who are available for consultations with a quick response time. They work collaboratively with other health care providers to manage eye disease, provide rehabilitative treatment, and make timely referrals. They are committed to providing care that meets their patients’ needs and preferences as a core component of overall good health.
Canadians owe it to themselves to think about their eyes, and optometrists are able to help them do just that.
