Download Partners in Care Opening Remarks by Dalie Schellen

Partners in Care Opening Remarks by Dalie Schellen,
President of the Opticians Association of Canada
Opticians are an integral part of the Vision care team. They are trained
experts who specialize in the design and fit of lenses and all types of vision
enhancing devices. These devices could be spectacle lenses (glasses),
contact lenses, products such as low-vision aids or even opthalmic
prosthetics (artificial eyes, also known as an ocular prosthesis) for people in
need of vision care.
Today we are here to bring attention to Canada’s first Patient Charter for
Vision Care. CNIB has a strong historical story of creating positive
frameworks for the delivery of low vision services. They have proven
themselves to be a leader in the field. The Opticians Association of Canada
applauds the efforts of CNIB and was proud to work alongside them and the
other vision care practitioners in the creation of this Charter. We are
particularly cognisant of our role in the vison health care continuum and we
believe that through the continued collaboration of Ophthalmologists,
Optometrists and Opticians we can support the intent of this Charter to bring
to fruition a better standard of care for Canadians with vision care needs.
According to CNIB’s National Report on Vision Health, protective glasses can
prevent eye injuries from all types of activities – but many Canadians don’t
wear them when they should.
Many eye injuries occur as a result of high-risk activities around the home
and in recreational settings. However only 31% of Canadians report wearing
proper eye protection always or often in their workshop, only 23% while
doing yardwork, and only 20% while playing sports – increasing the risk of
injuries causing vision loss.
Consider that 700 Canadian workers sustain preventable eye injuries each
day, if we include sports and other even everyday activities that number
rises exponentially into over 700,000 cases of eye injuries per year in
Canada. Protecting your eyes with the right eyewear can prevent those
injuries from happening—that includes safety glasses, goggles, safety
shields, and eye guards that are made of polycarbonate or trivex materials
which is 10 or more times stronger than other plastics. Most licensed eye
care providers can supply advice and products which will help prevent injury.
CNIB’s report also indicates a strong majority of Canadians across all age
groups wear glasses or contact lenses –Seven out of 10 Canadians surveyed
(71%) report they wear glasses or contact lenses, with the strongest results
among Canadians aged 55 and up (80%).
Furthermore, opticians report some vision care consumers believe that
because they wear regular prescription glasses they are protected from eye
injury. The facts are that unless this eye wear is specifically made in
compliance with Canadian safety standards and task approved they may not
provide adequate protection and in some cases can exasperate the
circumstances of the injury.
Canadians deserve best in class vison care and access to vision care
services. This Charter is an important step.
The 7000 opticians in Canada have dedicated themselves to providing vison
care services to all Canadians at an affordable sustainable level. The vison
care landscape is changing in Canada with more patient centered care and
more educated vision care consumers we must ensure a high standard of
care and that the choices provided to Canadians are grounded upon
evidence based facts. Eye care professionals, Opticians Optometrists and
Ophthalmologists have come here today to show we are united in our
support for CNIB and our Charter for Patient Care. The Opticians Association
of Canada pledges to support the Charter and its initiatives.