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Eye exam frequency for different ages Doctors of optometry play an essential and ongoing role in ensuring the health of you and your family. We diagnose, treat, and help prevent diseases and disorders affecting the visual system, the eye, and...
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What is 20/20 vision? If you have an eye exam and are told you have 20/20 vision, does this mean you have perfect eyesight? Is it possible to achieve even better than 20/20 vision? And what is “perfect vision” anyway? If you are...
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How can astigmatism be corrected with glasses? Astigmatism is a minor eye condition that occurs when the curvature of the cornea or the eye’s lens isn’t symmetrical. Wearing glasses for astigmatism is a common way to correct the condition. If you...
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How to adjust to new glasses Adjusting to new glasses, whether you’ve switched to a new prescription or are wearing them for the first time, can be a challenge for some people. If you’ve never worn glasses before, simply having frames...
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Read moreDigital Eye Strain Most of us work in front of a computer all day. To reduce the risk of digital eye strain, employ the 20/20/20 rule: every 20 minutes take a 20 second break and focus your eyes on something at least 20 feet away. Learn...
Read moreBeginning September 1st, Optometrists across Ontario will stop providing OHIP insured eye exams for children, seniors and adults with OHIP covered eye conditions.
For over 30 years, successive Ontario governments have ignored Optometrists. In 1989 the fee paid for an OHIP insured eye exam was $39.15, today, over 32 years later, it is on average $44.65. This has not kept up with inflation and does not come close to covering the cost. Every time we perform an OHIP insured eye exam we do so at a loss. This is not sustainable.
ONTARIO IS THE LOWEST PAID IN CANADA
Our fees would have to increase by over 60% to reach the next lowest province. The bar graph here compares Ontario to other provinces that fully fund eye care.
You may have read the government has offered us an 8.48% increase in our fees. For a senior’s eye exam that would raise our fee to $51.00. While that seems generous, it still leaves us more than 30% lower than Manitoba, the next lowest paid province, while Ontario having one of the highest costs of living in Canada. Unfortunately, an 8.48% increase does not make up for 32 years of neglect. We need the government to prioritize and properly fund eye care to make it sustainable for years to come.
Please understand that we want this issue resolved permanently so that we can continue to provide the same high level of care that we’ve always provided for your eyes and vision.
We ask that you please treat our staff with kindness and understanding during this time.
Dr. Anukool Chadda,
Dr. Kevin Ahokas,
Dr. Eric Barry,
Dr. Janet Schenk,
Dr. Paul Zaugg
[Optometrists at Mountain Eye Care]