eye disease in canada: stats, impact and resources

eye disease stats in canada

there are more than two million canadians living with vision disability. the major risk factors are aging, genetics and ethnicity. with canada’s aging population and large immigrant population, that two million number is projected to double over the next 25 years, leading to national healthcare costs of over $30 billion per year, according to fighting blindness canada .

black patients, as one high-risk example, were found to be six times more likely to have advanced vision loss after a new diagnosis of primary glaucoma when compared to white patients, a 2022 study by mount sinai in new york revealed.

recognizing the looming burden of eye disease in canada, the canadian council of the blind partnered with fighting blindness canada and worked with deloitte access economics to develop an estimate of the current social and economic cost of vision loss in 2019, releasing an in-depth report in may 2021.

• the prevalence of vision loss and blindness in canada is estimated to be 1.2 million people in 2019, or 3.2 per cent of the canadian population. this represents a 46.8 per cent increase over the past 12 years since a previous study spearheaded by the council.
• approximately 10 per cent of all pre-school children have vision deficiencies, many of which could be diagnosed early and subsequent vision loss could be prevented through eye exams and treatment early in the child’s life.
• an estimated 1,292 deaths in canada in 2019 were linked to vision loss and blindness, from factors such as isolation and increased risk of falls.
• age-related macular degeneration (amd) affects an estimated 2.5 million canadians, with risk heightened as you age, if you have a family history, or if you’re caucasian. smoking is a modifiable risk factor. there are two types, dry amd and wet amd, with no approved treatments for the dry form, a formulation of vitamins helps reduce the progression of the wet form (the form that rapidly leads to vision loss).
• cataracts impact about 3.7 million canadians. they can be removed and vision restored by a lens implant, which is one of the most common surgeries in canada, with wait times upwards of 112 days, says the canadian institute for health information. smoking and alcohol consumption are risk factors, along with exposure to uv rays.
• about one million canadian live with diabetic retinopathy. everyone with diabetes is at risk, elevated by high blood sugar levels, high body mass index, hypertension and smoking.
• an estimated 728,000 canadians have glaucoma. the main treatable risk factor is high pressure within the eye, which can be lowered by eye drops, laser treatment or surgery. it develops slowly over time, with people over 60 at increased risk.

impact of eye disease on canadian society

vision loss puts people at a serious disadvantage, costing them losses in productivity, social engagement and independence. that disadvantage is often shared by family caregivers or the ever-increasing demand for spaces in senior care residences. in ontario, for example, the average senior will wait 126 days to access long-terms care with some people waiting as long as 2.5 years, notes the ontario long term care association .

resources and support for eye disease in canada

• fighting blindness canada
• canadian national institute for the blind
• canadian council of the blind
• vision loss rehabilitation canada

the future of eye disease in canada

a 2023 national survey by specsavers and the canadian council of the blind , found that half of canadians don’t know that 75 per cent of vision loss is preventable and treatable, and 51 per cent are unaware or unsure of how often we should get an eye exam. people without pre-existing conditions should get an eye exam at a minimum of every two years, and every year for those under 18 and over 65.

and in may, the canadian ophthalmological society released the results of its survey about the eye health of canadians . the majority, 81 per cent, are concerned or have experienced at least one of these three factors: too much screen time, exposure to uv rays, and environmental hazards like pollution and wildfire smoke.

despite the advances in medical technology and treatment – like the imaging work being done at the new school of optometry and vision science research centre at the university of waterloo and the use of ai for retinal image screening – eye disease in canada poses a sizeable problem. education and awareness of eye health and proactive care are crucial to help reduce the risk of vision loss. the deloitte report recommends federal leadership and agenda-setting to establish policies that address the issue head-on through consistent messages about the risk factors and the importance of regular eye exams.

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