There's a new bill aimed at improving eye care for rural Canadians

An act to establish a national eye care strategy has become law.

Put forward by Liberal MP Judy A. Sgro, Bill C-284's goal is to provide accessible eye care to all Canadians, with an extra emphasis on serving rural populations.

Dr. Nina Ahuja of the Canadian Ophthalmological Society says a large part of the importance of the bill is to make sure that comprehensive eye exams are made available to everyone, with a focus on ensuring that eye conditions are picked up early.

The bill orders the development of a national eye care strategy.

Ahuja said she expects this strategy to come into effect in the next two to three years.

She said the Canadian Ophthalmological Society sees a successful path forward through new technologies and resources like telemedicine — where assessments can be done on location and sent to a main centre for diagnostics.

"The idea with this, then, is to set up centres and offices where we have people trained to use these technologies who can then transmit these images to optometrists, internal ophthalmologists depending on the need," Ahuja said.

Further, the bill aims to push eye care to be provided by an integrated network of specialists, from opticians, optometrists and ophthalmologists.

Ahuja said creating networks or "a tapestry of eye care provision" between different vision health practitioners is crucial for the plan to be effective.

Listen to the full interview with CBC Radio's Newfoundland Morning:

CBC Newfoundland Morning8:06New law aims to improve eye care for people in rural areas

Some Canadians may now find it easier to be able to get eye care. At least, that 's what federal Bill C-284 is meant to do. Among many things, the new law aims to make give people in rural areas more help with their vision. The Canadian Opthalmological Society is celebrating this as a major step. Dr. Nina Ahuja is an ophthalmologist and a member of the Society's board of directors.

"That's really looking at the patient journey from, you know, having usual sight to getting those initial exams and then, you know, being monitored and progressing through the treatment if required," she said.

The challenge in distanced health care is ever-present. The distance could complicate getting equipment and training to remote locations. Internet connectivity is also a factor that could impede access to the national eye care strategy, said Ahuja.

Awareness of the importance on eye health is another challenge the strategy needs to meet, she said.

"Certain conditions, if not diagnosed early, can actually have a significant impact on vision health as a long-term sense," Ahuja said.

The last time Canadians heard tell of a legislated national eye care strategy was in 2003.

Ahuja said things are looking a lot different this time around.

"It's certainly not going to take over 20 years," she said.

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