Dr. Nelson Talks about Optometrists and Eye Care in Canada

Dr Nelson had the pleasure to talk to Beyond The Headlines on the topics of Optometry, COVID and Telehealth.

“Beyond the Headlines” features CAO President Dr. Michael Nelson as one of three participants, with discussion of ODs and COVID begins at 20:50

Dr. Nelson talked about optometrists being the primary eye care providers.   When you have a problem with your eyes or vision you call your optometrist for an eye exam, whether that is for an eye infection, eye injury, loss of vision, change in eye glasses or contact lenses.  Your optometrist is your first entry into the eye care system.

“Accessing PPE was a little bit of a free-for-all. We realized that we can’t necessarily rely on our international supply chains in a global pandemic.”

Dr. Nelson also talked about how the COVID19 pandemic affected the delivery of eye care and how optometrists continued to provide urgent care to Canadians during the pandemic.  He also talked about the how to safely wear contact lenses during the pandemic.

“Governments need a way to be in touch with the pulse of grassroots healthcare providers.”

Dr. Nelson also talked about national priorities for optometrists.   Things like billing issues, equality in scope of practice and a national vision strategy.

“We don’t have a national strategy for vision. Believe it or not, there is not a body at the federal government to say “Vision is important for Canadians, and this is why and this is what we should be doing about it.”