The Canadian Ophthalmological Society emphasizes the need for eye care as part of the National Seniors Council’s Aging at Home initiative.

TORONTO, May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — May is Eye Health Month and the Canadian Ophthalmological Society (COS) wishes to emphasize the importance of eye care, particularly when assessing the overall needs of Canadian seniors. According to a 2022 COS survey, four in 10 Canadians (41%) have experienced at least one change in their eye health or been diagnosed with at least one change in the last two years – and that number rises to 56% among those aged 12 to 12 65 years and over.

Currently, more than 1.2 million Canadians have vision loss and more than eight million Canadians suffer from one of the four major eye diseases. Diseases that can cause blindness affect older adults (55+) much more frequently, and as Canada’s population ages, the number of people affected by visual impairment will increase. To help address this situation, COS is participating in the National Seniors Council’s Aging at Home Consultations – an initiative to engage diverse stakeholders, including health professionals, to identify gaps and additional support needed by Canadians looking to age Comfort of your own four walls.

“Vision loss can have a significant impact on seniors’ physical, cognitive, and emotional well-being, as well as their ability to live independently,” says Dr. Phil Hooper, President of the Canadian Ophthalmological Society. The need for medical care increases with age, and many seniors require coordinated care that includes surgical and medical procedures to treat their vision loss. Therefore, today’s development of solutions to this problem will support the Aging at Home initiative, which in turn will enable seniors to live safely at home. »

Education and awareness of eye health and eye diseases are essential to reduce the risk of vision loss in seniors. Although most Canadians (62%) are aware of cataracts, only a quarter (27%) of Canadians know that cataracts are the leading cause of blindness in the country. Less than half (47%) are aware of glaucoma and only 39% are aware of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), which is the second leading cause of blindness. Fewer Canadians are aware of diabetic retinopathy (22%) and contact lens-related dry eye syndrome (26%).

Seniors with vision loss are more likely to be admitted to a care facility, and they are also more likely to be admitted to a care facility earlier because of vision loss. To minimize the risk of vision loss in seniors, the COS recommends the following:

• Emphasize screening and collaboration between eye care team members: Frequent and regular eye exams help identify eye diseases that can lead to blindness more quickly and ensure faster treatment to delay the onset of vision loss.

• Increase in the number of residential places: One of the main concerns with the current surgical backlog is that the situation will worsen over time due to the growing need and the lack of trained ophthalmologists. There is a need to increase the number of ophthalmology residencies across Canada and to develop new models to allow access for internationally trained physicians.

• Create a national eye health agency: A national eye health agency will provide the pan-Canadian overview needed to support integration of care and improve access to eye health services across Canada. A national overview will help to understand the issues and address the lack of coordination at government and patient levels.

To learn more about the four major eye diseases and for general eye health information, visit seepossibilities.ca.

Health Index publication: 2023-05-02 – Number of visits since publication: 747

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