The second episode of the Eye on the Industry podcast dropped this week, and it made clear from the start: this won’t be your average industry talk show. Hosts Christine Zeggil and Isabelle Tremblay blend experience, advocacy, and wit as they dive into serious conversations—without taking themselves too seriously.
Broadcasting with coffee in hand, they welcomed longtime friend and optical changemaker Robert Dalton, Executive Director of the Opticians Association of Canada, for a deep and often moving conversation on children’s vision care, access to services, and the policy changes needed to make vision a national priority.
Why Children’s Vision Deserves a National Strategy
Dalton pulls no punches in describing the current state of children’s eye care in Canada: inconsistent, patchwork, and often inaccessible. While some provinces like Quebec and PEI have commendable programs, the lack of consistency across Canada means that access too often depends on where a child lives—or whether their parent can take a day off work.
“We need to stop expecting kids to come to care,” Dalton said. “We need to start bringing care to them.” Whether it’s school-based vision screening, mobile exams, or direct billing for glasses, Dalton makes the case that seeing clearly is not a luxury—it’s foundational to learning, development, and confidence.
From Myopia to Missed Opportunities
The conversation turned to the rising prevalence of myopia in Canadian children, with Dalton calling for a shift in mindset from simply correcting refractive errors to understanding and managing their root causes. He stressed the importance of outdoor time and early intervention, noting how kids as young as six are already showing prescriptions of -6.00 or higher.
Even more concerning? Many children in at-risk or underserved communities are missing exams altogether. “We’ve seen kids with a +6 or -4 who have never had a pair of glasses,” Dalton shared, calling those moments both heartbreaking and motivating.
A Call for Policy, Partnership—and People Power
Dalton highlighted a major recent win: Bill C-284, Canada’s new national vision strategy. Though it doesn’t come with funding yet, it mandates the development of a national plan. That, Dalton says, is an opportunity to get it right—with clear goals around access, prevention, and collaboration.
He also emphasized the critical role parents, educators, and industry stakeholders must play. From taking kids outside to asking tough questions at school or city hall, every action counts. “Everyone has a role,” he said, “and we need to act like it.”
Advocacy with a Smile
In between policy insights, the episode was peppered with the podcast’s signature levity. Dalton shared stories of his humble—and hilariously awkward—beginnings in optics, including the time he “proved” he was a licensed professional by presenting his motorcycle driver’s license during a job interview.
Rapid-fire questions closed out the show, including Dalton’s superhero alter ego (Superman, for the x-ray vision, naturally) and his optician-themed autobiography title: Grinding It Out: A Prismatic Journey.
What’s Next for the Podcast
With topics lined up ranging from smart lens tech to business growth strategies, Eye on the Industry is setting out to be a must-listen for anyone in eye care. But beyond information, Isabelle and Christine are aiming for impact—creating a space that informs, empowers, and yes, occasionally makes you laugh out loud.
Follow the podcast at eyeontheindustry.ca, or wherever you get your podcasts. And as the hosts say: stay sharp, stay stylish, and keep your eye on the industry.
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