News
CAO eyes national vision care strategy
By Denis Langlois
Canada’s rapidly aging population is contributing
to an “emerging vision crisis,” says the Canadian
Association of Optometrists.
A 2019 position statement by the national
organization says the financial cost of vision loss
will rise significantly in the coming years as the
prevalence of eye disease among Canada’s aging
population increases.
The total cost of vision loss could top $30 billion
annually by 2032 in Canada.
The statement also notes that vision loss has
significant indirect costs as well, such as lost
productivity, and can affect seniors both physically
and psychologically. The impacts can include
depression, loss of independence, financial
26 Optical Prism | October 2019
hardship and limited social interaction.
The CAO has released a policy position that says
primary eye care for seniors must become a public
health priority.
It is calling for the creation of a national
comprehensive eye health and vision care strategy
that aims to maximize the health, independence
and economic participation of seniors, who are at
greater risk of vision loss and blindness.
Optical Prism recently spoke with CAO president
Dr. Michael Nelson about the organization’s policy
positions, the need for a national vision care
strategy and CAO’s concern about the rise in vision
issues in the senior population.