In the Canadian province of Ontario, New Democrat MPP, France Gelinas, is calling on the Legislative Assembly to provide better eye care for people living with diabetes in the Sudbury area.
She said retinal scans are covered by the state when performed by an ophthalmologist, but cost patients out of pocket if they are performed by an optometrist. It can cost between $60 and $120.
Gelinas said many low-income patients with diabetes have reached out to her saying they have passed on these exams because they simply can’t afford them. She said wait times can be up to six months to see an ophthalmologist in the area she represents.
“Either make it that the optometrist can do the scan and bill the government so that the person doesn’t have to pay,” said France Gelinas. “Or bring one of those — they are called teleophthalmology clinics — bring one of those clinics to Sudbury. We have a very high rate of people with diabetes in our region.”
Advocacy Action – Does your government or legislative assembly meet the cost of eye tests for low-income patients? Would a mobile teleophthalmology clinic help? Do you have an eye screening programme to identify problems early on? PDGN has examples of screening programmes.