National Strategy for Eye Care Bill
Second Reading--Debate Continued
March 19, 2024
Honourable senators, I have a few comments on Bill C-284. I want to start by acknowledging the sponsor of the bill, Senator Mohamed-Iqbal Ravalia, and congratulating the originator of the bill in the House of Commons, the Honourable Judy Sgro, who has put her considerable parliamentary experience toward making this a strong bill.
Also, a shout-out to the following organizations who represent Canadians who are blind: the Canadian Council of the Blind, the Canadian National Institute for the Blind, the Canadian Ophthalmological Society, Fighting Blindness Canada and the OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation.
Canadians from these organizations have called for and helped craft Bill C-284. The full name of the act is Bill C-284, An Act to establish a national strategy for eye care.
As the preamble to this bill notes, “. . . millions of Canadians live with eye disease that could lead to vision loss or blindness if not treated . . .” Eye care is a serious issue. It is thought that 8 million Canadians are living with an eye condition that leaves them at risk of blindness. That is 20% of the population.
A report by the Canadian National Institute for the Blind found that the cost of vision loss to Canada is about $33 billion a year.
It is estimated that 75% of vision loss is preventable, but Canadians are not getting their eyes tested when they should be. Guidelines suggest we should be having annual eye tests, but where provincial and private insurance coverage exists, it is often only for a test every two years. The inevitable consequence is that one third of Canadian adults have not sought vision care because they cannot afford to do so. Prevention is obviously better than cure, and in Canada, we are not doing enough with respect to prevention.
Access to eye care differs from province to province, but if we accept that this is a problem for all Canadians, and a serious one at that, then developing a national strategy is what is needed. We need to get the provincial and federal governments to work together to improve our nation’s eye health care. That’s what this bill is about — cooperation, planning and coordination.
I want to read briefly from the website of the Canadian Council of the Blind:
Bill C-284 has come far, but much still needs to be done. The imminent passage of this Bill —
— they are quite optimistic —
— promises improved quality of life for many and signifies a commitment to equality and accessibility in eye care services. Collaborative efforts with vision organizations underscore the collective call for fairness. In essence, Bill C-284 is not just legislation; it’s a pivotal step toward a more inclusive and efficient eye care system for all Canadians.
Honourable senators, that is why I am supporting Bill C-284, the national strategy for eye care act. Thank you.
Honourable senators, I rise today to speak in support of Bill C-284. This private member’s initiative is sponsored by our colleague, Senator Ravalia, and I thank him for that. This bill seeks to establish a national strategy for eye care.
The other place unanimously passed this bill on October 25, 2023. Senator Ravalia outlined why this legislation is important for the health of our population. He also warned us that our society will incur significant economic costs if we do not act now.
The Association des optométristes du Québec ran an awareness campaign to warn parents that about one in four school-aged children has vision problems. I really like the association’s tag line about seeing to eye health.
In addition, a 2019 estimate pegged the potential cost of vision loss in Canada at $32.9 billion. Then there’s the not insignificant human impact. In fact, eight million people in Canada are at risk of losing their sight.
According to the Merck manual, macular degeneration is the leading cause of irreversible vision loss among seniors. It is important to keep in mind that deteriorating vision disrupts normal, everyday activities. It hastens the loss of independence and has a negative impact on aging.
Bill C-284 offers a unique opportunity to meet the growing needs of millions of Canadians and positively transform their vision health.
In 2020, Statistics Canada reported that the percentage of the population with self-reported good vision without correction was about 75% among young people of both sexes aged 12 to 19. This percentage was considerably lower among people aged 45 to 49, and was close to 25% among those aged 55 and older.
There is no doubt that as people get older, they have a greater need for eye care professionals. Being able to see well throughout one’s life is the key to maintaining autonomy and overall good health.
The Canadian Ophthalmological Society surveyed Canadians to find out how much they know about major eye diseases. Over half, or about 62%, of Canadians are familiar with cataracts, and yet only a quarter of them know that cataracts are the leading cause of blindness in the country. When it comes to age-related macular degeneration, the proportion drops to 39%, even though this disease is the second leading cause of blindness and affects nearly two million Canadians. As for glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and dry eye syndrome, the proportion drops to under 26%, sitting at about 22%.
These figures on eye disease awareness clearly demonstrate the need to educate Canadians about eye disease prevention.
Despite how important it is, eye care often lacks the necessary attention and resources. It’s time for Canada to take a proactive approach to vision health, and Bill C-284 is an important first step in that direction.
Bill C-284 proposes to establish a national eye care strategy that would address several fundamental aspects of vision health. First, it would establish regular screening programs to detect eye problems early and prevent serious and costly long-term complications.
The proposed national strategy would promote access to quality eye care for all Canadians, regardless of where they live or their socio-economic status.
All too often, marginalized and disadvantaged populations have limited access to eye health services, which exacerbates health inequalities.
By passing Bill C-284, we would be committed to ensuring that every citizen has access to adequate eye care, thereby contributing to a more just, equitable and inclusive society.
Implementing this national strategy would also stimulate research and innovation in the field of eye health. Investing in research into eye diseases and new technologies would enable us to develop more effective treatments and improve outcomes for patients with visual impairments.
Bill C-284 would also encourage public education and awareness about the importance of eye care and preventive measures to support healthy vision. By informing and educating the public, we can encourage healthy behaviours and reduce the number of people suffering from preventable eye problems.
Honourable colleagues, support for Bill C-284 is a commitment to a better quality of life for millions of Canadians through equitable access to proper eye care. We can send a strong message that eye health is a national priority and that every Canadian deserves to live in a country where their health is taken seriously.
In closing, let us move this bill forward and support the unanimous and non-partisan will to establish a national strategy for eye care in Canada. Let us work together to make a real difference to our fellow citizens’ quality of life and help create a healthier and more promising future for all.
Thank you.
