Survey shedding light on Canadians’ knowledge of eye health
A new survey shows: of the Canadians who haven’t had their eyes checked in more then two years, a third didn’t go because they believed nothing was wrong.
Now, there is a push to get more Canadians to access vision care.
The survey is from the Canadian Ophthalmological Society and the Canadian Association of Optometrists, and it shows there’s a lack of understanding about eye health in the country.
“The fact the Canadians are unaware that eye disease can progress silently is a concern because in the absence of regular eye examinations, disease is missed,” said Dr. Phil Hooper, the president of the Canadian Ophthalmology Association.
The survey found most Canadians are familiar with cataracts, but it’s not well known they are the leading cause of blindness.
Fewer people are familiar with glaucoma, especially younger adults and even fewer know about other diseases such as age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and contact lens-associated dry eye disease.
“20/20 vision doesn’t mean you have healthy eyes. You can have 20/20 vision, but go blind from glaucoma tomorrow if you didn’t realize your were losing vision on the outside,” said optometrist Dr. Irene Mestito-Dao.
She says three-quarters of vision impairments are preventable, “…if detected early and that is a big piece of information that people should know.”
The findings from the study support the push from the Canadian Association of Optometrists for a national vision health strategy to identify what’s being missed.
“Roadblocks, if you will, in the seamless pathway to care for eyes and to develop way to get around these,” said Hooper.
Oct. 13 is considered World Sight Day.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Poilievre will do 'anything to win,' must condemn Alex Jones endorsement: Trudeau
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is ramping up his attacks on Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre as he promotes his government's federal budget.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
New evidence challenges the Pentagon's account of a horrific attack as the U.S. withdrew from Afghanistan: CNN exclusive
New video evidence uncovered by CNN significantly undermines two Pentagon investigations into an ISIS-K suicide attack outside Kabul airport, during the American withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
All Alberta wildfires to date in 2024 believed to be human-caused: province
There are 63 wildfires burning in Alberta's forest protection area as of Wednesday morning and seven mutual aid fires, including one in the Municipal District of Peace.
Video shows suspects waving weapons, smashing glass in Toronto jewelry store robbery
Arrests have been made after five men were captured on video rampaging through a jewelry store in Toronto, waving weapons and smashing glass display cases.
Pilot proposes to flight attendant girlfriend in front of passengers
A Polish pilot proposed to his flight attendant girlfriend during a flight from Warsaw to Krakow, and she said yes.
Ottawa injects another $36M into fund for those seriously injured or killed by vaccines
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
Ex-SNC executive sentenced to prison term in bridge bribery case
The RCMP says a former SNC-Lavalin executive has been sentenced to three and a half years in prison in connection with a bribery scheme for a bridge repair contract in Montreal.