Eye Health Matters: 97% of Canadians Say It’s Key to Wellbeing, But Education Lags
Tuesday, May 6 2025 | 14 h 12 min | News
The ability to see impacts everything we do, and according to a recent national survey by the Canadian Ophthalmological Society (COS), the vast majority (97%) of Canadians consider eye health a crucial part of their overall well-being. Yet, only half feel they know what contributes to the health of their eyes. As National Vision Health Month kicks off, COS emphasizes the importance of continued education to raise awareness, promote regular eye exams, and improve access to quality vision care for all Canadians.
Canadians Now Recognize Eye Health as a Top Priority, but Knowledge Gaps Exist
While most Canadians (83%) say they prioritize their vision health, half feel familiar with treatment options for serious eye problems (53%) or eye diseases such as cataracts (52%) for example, a leading cause of blindness. Among those aged 55 and older, 68% say they’re knowledgeable about the symptoms and early signs of the condition, compared to 41% of younger Canadians aged 18 to 34, even though cataracts can occur at any age.
“While Canadians overwhelmingly recognize the importance of eye health, many remain unaware of the eye diseases they may be at risk for and the symptoms to watch for,” said Dr. Mona Dagher, president of the Canadian Ophthalmological Society. “These survey findings reinforce the need for better public education so people can take proactive steps, including regular eye exams, to protect their vision.”
Additional insights:
- Canadians support innovations in eye care, and 92% agree that access to the latest advancements is essential. Three-quarters (75%) feel they have access to these innovations, but only 52% feel comfortable with AI-assisted diagnostics.
- Concerns about screen time’s effects on children’s eye health remain high, with 82% of Canadians expressing worry, on par with 2024.
- 38% say extreme weather negatively impacted their eye health in the past year, indicating environmental factors are also an increasing concern.
- While 56% of Canadians correctly identify ophthalmologists as medical doctors with specialized surgical training, 17% are unaware of what they do, and 28% misidentify their role.
Advocacy and Policy Action Needed
Despite growing awareness in general, 56% of Canadians feel that eye health does not receive the same level of attention as other health priorities in the healthcare system. This perception highlights the need for greater advocacy and policy action to ensure that eye health is addressed at the national level.
“There’s a clear call to action,” said Dr. Nina Ahuja, chair of the Council on Advocacy for COS. “The passage of Bill C-284, the National Eye Care Strategy Act, is an important step forward. These findings reinforce our commitment to advancing vision health and ensuring access to optimal eye care for all Canadians.”
To learn more about the role of an ophthalmologist, major eye diseases and to get information on overall eye health, visit seethepossibilities.ca.
Click HERE for the press release.
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