The Chatham-Kent Public Health Unit and the Erie St. Clair Local Health Integration Network are working to address an impending crisis in eye health.
The National Coalition for Vision Care says an increase of elderly citizens, a shortage of specialists, and a lack of programming are creating a crisis.
Teresa Bendo, director of public health with the local health unit, says officials are working on a plan to improve many local health issues, including vision care.
"We're looking at a number of new requirements under new Ontario public health standards. One in particular, some vision screening within local schools," says Bendo.
The LHIN is working on a strategy of its own to fix gaps in local vision care, including recruiting and retaining more opthamologists and optometrists to create better access for patients. Both groups say some health programs don't have adequate provincial funding or are unfunded and it's always a challenge to create new programs.
Bendo is vowing to do a better job planning programs to improve overall health in the area, including a focus on local eye health.
"Certainly we are implementing a robust planning and evaluation system within public health services here. So, this is a focus for us," she says.
Bendo says vision care has become a priority and screening at schools will start later this year.
"Screen kids in schools and we certainly know that poor vision has an impact on kids' ability to learn. So, we're looking forward to partnering with our local school boards and implementing this protocol in the schools," says Bendo.
