According to a recent report, Canadians are not seeking preventive care for their eyes at the same rate they were before the COVID-19 pandemic. Almost 12% fewer patients reported they had a recent eye exam in 2021 vs. 2019. This is a concern because many types of eye disease have no symptoms in the early stages, leading to missed opportunities for early diagnoses and higher risk of preventable vision loss. COVID-related service disruptions in 2020 led to 1437 Canadians losing their vision, the report stated. Furthermore, eye care service levels are still not back to the same levels seen before the pandemic started.

The consequences of service backlogs can be devastating for patients who need treatments for eye diseases like glaucoma and macular degeneration. Failing to get refills for glaucoma medication, or not going in for eye injections for advanced macular degeneration can lead to permanent vision loss. The report shows that prescriptions for both these medications were below projected levels in 2021.

Surgical backlogs have also not cleared in some regions, and shortages for eye medication are still occurring due to supply chain issues.

To address these issues, this past June the federal government has proposed the creation of a national strategy for eye care. It will address access, supplies, education of health care consumers and training of health care workers. Early diagnosis and treatment is key to reducing the increasing trend towards preventable vision loss.

(Reference: National report on state of vision care in Canada raises alarm | Healthing.ca)