World Sight Day 2023

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World Sight Day

Why People Living with Diabetes Need to Prioritize Vision Care

Diabetic retinopathy is the most common cause of sight loss in people living with diabetes. Awareness and proper management are essential.

Peter McCarthy, 65, from New Minas, Nova Scotia, has lived with type 1 diabetes since age 40. About four years ago on a routine eye exam, he learned he has diabetic retinopathy, an eye condition that involves changes to the retinal blood vessels that can cause them to bleed or leak fluid, ultimately distorting vision. Nearly all people living with type 1 diabetes and over 60 per cent of people living with type 2 diabetes have some degree of retinopathy after 20 years of living with the condition.

Early diagnosis and access to treatment critical

Thanks to early diagnosis and access to treatment, McCarthy has been able to slow the deterioration of his vision. Every five weeks he travels to Halifax for eye injections and recently had his left lens replaced. “That’s given me a new lease on life as I’m able to read again, which I really

enjoy,” says McCarthy.

He also monitors his glucose levels through his insulin pump and continuous glucose monitor which he’s been using for six years. “I’m a big fan and wish they had been around 25 years ago. It’s a real game changer for me,” he says. Monitoring blood glucose levels is critical for people living with diabetes as high levels over time can damage the vessels in the eye and increase the risk of sight loss.

Diabetic retinopathy is one of many diabetes complications, that can be prevented or delayed with screening, education, and early treatment. “One of the things we’re recommending is that provincial and territorial governments develop their own diabetes strategy that aligns with the Framework for Diabetes in Canada and that highlights the importance of vision care in the management of diabetes,” says Laura Syron, President and CEO of Diabetes Canada.

“One of the things we’re recommending is that provincial and territorial governments develop their own diabetes strategy that aligns with the Framework for Diabetes in Canada and that highlights the importance of vision care in the management of diabetes.”

Nina Theodorlis
Michael Taylor
Learn more about Diabetes Canada’s recommendations to reduce the risk of sight loss in people living with diabetes by scanning the QR code or learn more about diabetes at diabetes.ca
This article was sponsored by Diabetes Canada
Anne Papmehl
Laura Syron President & CEO, Diabetes Canada
Peter McCarthy

Eye Van Provides Critical Medical Vision Care To Those Across Northern Ontario

Ontario’s travelling eye hospital kicks off 52nd annual trip, continuing its mission bringing life-changing vision care to the provinces’ remote and rural northern communities.

Sonya Friesen

Northern Ontario plays host to an incredibly diverse population of over 800,000 and is home to nearly half of Ontario’s Indigenous population. Small communities and municipalities are scattered amongst the area’s lakes, valleys, and forests, some hundreds of kilometers from the region’s hubs like Sudbury and Thunder Bay.

While many of these residents have called Northern Ontario home all their lives, a lack of access to healthcare services means that many of those living within these communities are susceptible to common health concerns including vision-affecting disorders. For decades, healthcare organizations and non-profits have advocated for this often-forgotten patient group, working to increase access to healthcare in the north.

Run by Vision Loss Rehabilitation Canada, the VLRC Eye Van is one such program aiming to bridge the gap in eye care for those who need it most.

Travelling eye care

A ‘Mobile Medical Eye Care Unit’, the Eye Van has been offering ophthalmology services for those living

in northern Ontario since 1972, and annually spends 28 weeks travelling to over 20 communities across the region, serving over 5,000 patients.

The Eye Van can diagnose common eye-related issues, prescribe treatment, assess progression, and arrange for needed sub-specialized or urgent medical and surgical care.

Dr. Steve Arshinoff, Ophthalmologist and Medical Director for the Eye Van has worked with the team for over 45 years and seen the van transform from a simple Winnebago to a fully functioning mobile clinic: “The Eye Van is unique because it’s basically a travelling mini eye hospital, and able to provide essentially all ophthalmic services wherever it’s taken. There is no other service quite like it.” He notes, “Our mission has always been to care for people in the north. As time progresses the mechanisms may change but the goal always remains the same. As a clinician, you rarely get to visit huge geographical area and make a real difference to that population.”

Possible through partnership

Running from April through to October each year, the Eye Van’s success has been strengthened through VLRC’s

partnership with leading pharmaceutical company, Bayer.

“It’s important for companies in the pharmaceutical space, like Bayer, to give back to patient advocacy groups,” says Jamie Stretch, Business Unit Head of Ophthalmology for Bayer, “They do fantastic work, and those who work for these organizations really do it for the care of the community.”

By far the most rewarding part of the eye van is the patients. This work provides a real difference in the lives of so many.

Jamie notes that when Bayer found out about Eye Van ten years ago, the team was eager to get involved, understanding the increased need within northern communities and the importance behind access to the services offered by the program.

Since then, the Eye Van has continued its work with Bayer’s support. Work that Ophthalmic Technician and Assistant Ryan Williams sees firsthand.

Now in his second tour with the Eye Van, Ryan explains that while many of the van’s patients find it difficult to get to their nearest ophthalmology clinic due to distance, finances, age or childcare, the need is evident:

“Many of the eye conditions we screen for can result in permanent, irreversible blindness if not treated. As the only eyecare specialists some of our patients see, we are the only opportunity they have to catch these preventable conditions.”

For 51 years, the Eye Van has been making a difference in the lives of those across Northern Ontario, and the team doesn’t plan to stop anytime soon and as Ryan notes, “By far the most rewarding part of the eye van is the patients. This work provides a real difference in the lives of so many.”

Steve

Arshinoff Ophthalmologist & Medical Director, Eye Van
Jamie Stretch Business Unit Head of Ophthalmology, Bayer
Ryan Williams Ophthalmic Technician & Assistant

Advancements in Lens Technology Open Canadians’ Eyes To Better Vision

Cataracts are one of the most common conditions Canadians will face, but new technology in cataract surgery has benefits that go far beyond just treatment.

The eyes are our window to the world. As we mature, however, eye health can often take a backseat. For most Canadians, sight will deteriorate with age. Because it happens so gradually, many don’t realize how much they aren’t seeing. One of the most common culprits behind vision loss is cataracts. A cataract causes a clouding of the natural lens of the eye resulting in blurry vision. It happens progressively, first impacting small portions of vision and then growing with time. “Cataracts are probably the most common cause of reversible, treatable vision loss,” says Dr. Darren Albert, Ophthalmologist and Associate Professor at McGill University (Dr. Albert is a consultant for Alcon).

Dr. Albert explains that, with age, the eye’s natural lens grows cloudy, like a dirty window. To treat the condition, patients must replace the ‘dirty’ lens through cataract surgery. Over 550,000 cataracts surgeries are performed every year in Canada, making it one of the most common — and safest — procedures.

Opening eyes to better sight

Cataract treatment has come a long way. “We’re now seeing less invasive surgery and better equipment,” Dr. Albert says, noting an uncomplicated surgery can be completed in 10-15 minutes under local, topical anesthesia (yes, no needles required).

Perhaps one of the most significant improvements, however, has been in the way that intraocular lenses correct vision. During cataract surgery, a patient’s natural lenses are replaced

with artificial intraocular lenses, which not only corrects cataracts, but can address other eye conditions like presbyopia and astigmatism at the same time. “We have amazing implant lens technology today. A lens can be chosen specifically for a patient’s eye and even correct their need for glasses,” says Dr. Albert.

There have been incredible advancements in the development of intraocular lenses, but most patients don’t understand the extent to which cataract treatment can help in regaining lost vision. “The general public is not well educated on either cataracts or cataract surgery; it’s important that patients better understand their choices so they can make an informed decision on getting back to seeing clearly,” notes Dr. Albert.

for example, correct vision at one focal point, often distance. For those with astigmatism, where the eye is shaped like a football, toric lenses are designed to minimize irregularities from the cornea and correct the astigmatism itself.

It’s important that patients better understand their choices so they can make an informed decision.

Presbyopia-correcting lenses are one of the newer advancements in lens technology. Presbyopia is the farsightedness that occurs as the lens of your eye loses flexibility over time. Trifocal lenses can correct far, intermediate and near distance with less reliance on glasses, yet some people may have issues with glares and halos at night. Similarly, extended depth of focus lenses provide increased range of vision at far, intermediate and functional near distances, but glasses may be needed for tasks like reading fine print.

Understanding your options

With a wide array of lenses available that also correct conditions like presbyopia and astigmatism, it’s important patients have a concrete understanding of their options so they can make an informed choice. Monofocal lenses,

“Patients often don’t realize when their vision declines, so the results of cataract surgery can be life changing,” says Dr. Albert. Advancements in cataract treatment offer patients a chance to reclaim their vision and to finally see the world the way it was meant to be seen: vivid and clear.

To learn more about cataracts or cataract surgery visit SeeTheFullPicture.ca and speak with your eye doctor about your vision goals.

Sonya Friesen
Dr. Darren Albert Ophthalmologist & Associate Professor, McGill University

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