THE OPTICIANS EYE VIEW
Report
OPTICIANS ASSOCIATION OF CANADA IN THE NEWS
CNIB LAUNCHES NEW
CANADIAN PATIENT CHARTER
FOR VISION CARE
Opticians are an integral part of the
Vision care team. They are trained
experts who specialize in the design
and fit of lenses and all types of vision
enhancing devices. These devices
could be spectacle lenses (eyeglasses),
contact lenses, products su ch as lowvision aids or even ophthalmic prosthetics (artificial eyes, also known
as an ocular prosthesis) for people
in need of vision care.
On May 7th, the Opticians
Association of Canada (OAC) signed
the CNIB’s New Canadian Patient
Charter for Vision Care. The CNIB
has a strong historical story of
creating positive frameworks for
the delivery of low vision services.
They have proven themselves to be
a leader in the field. The OAC applauds the efforts of the CNIB in the
creation of this Charter. We are
particularly cognisant of our role in
the vision health care continuum and
we believe that through the continued
collaboration of Ophthalmologists,
Optometrists and Opticians, we can
support the intent of this Charter to
bring to fruition a better standard of
care for Canadians with vision care
needs. Canadians deserve best in
class vision care and access to vision
care services. This Charter is an im-
40 Optical Prism | July-August 2015
portant step. The 7,000 Opticians in
Canada have dedicated themselves
to providing vision care services to all
Canadians at an affordable sustainable level. The vision care landscape
is changing in Canada with more
patient centred care and more educated vision care consumers. We
must ensure a high standard of care
and that the choices provided to
Canadians are grounded upon
evidence-based facts.
As expected, 2015 has seen the
launch of internet business models
for the delivery of eye care services
and products. The OAC has foreseen
this development and change has to
have been working diligently on consulting and commenting on these
models to ensure adequate ECP
oversight. The inclusion of Opticians
in any company’s internet model is
a MUST. This will create jobs and
allow Opticians to maintain their
standards of practice and care, thus,
fulfilling their mandate among eye
health care professionals. Opticians
themselves will be able to apply
their entrepreneurial skills to create
their own sites and use an OMNI
channel for continuation of their
business models. Pay close attention
to these opportunities and observe
the OAC logo on only sites that arecommitted to following legislative
rules and regulations surrounding
the delivery of eyecare.
THE FUTURE NEEDS:
Low vision services and specialty
contact lenses has now been clearly
identified as a needed skill for beyond
2015. The OAC offers professional
learning for Opticians in partnership
with the Northern Alberta Institute
of Technology and continually
searches for more partners to bring
required skills to Opticians.
Remember to visit the online library
of the OAC and in person events
such as the Vision Canada Convention & Trade Show for all your
educational needs. This year, Vision
Canada will be held in Vancouver
and the lecture schedule is full, visit
www.vision-canada.ca for more
information
The Opticians Association of Canada
is YOUR professional organization;
your comments and input are greatly
appreciated. 2014 has seen a marked
increase in member communications
due in part to the changing landscape
of the industry and to Opticians
desire to learn and prepare for the
future. The OAC attempts to answer
all requests for information in a
timely manner and we appreciate
our members patience in our facilitating those required answers.
ARE you a member of your professional association? If not, come and
help us shape the future.
>> opticians.ca