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Problem Statement
In 1998, Canadian vision-care
professionals gathered in Toronto for the National Consultation on the
Crisis in Vision Loss.
They met to determine what could be done about what was then termed, a
“looming crisis in vision loss.”
Though strides were made, the most notable being the creation of the
National Coalition for Vision Health, this crisis is no longer
looming.
It’s here.
And it’s getting worse with each passing year.
Need proof?
Canada is experiencing an unprecedented
rise in age-related blindness, driven by the country’s aging
population.
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD), now the leading cause of
blindness in Canadians over 50, is soaring, with 78,000 new cases
diagnosed in 2003. And that figure is expected to triple within 25
years.
Baby boomers in their 50s and 60s are also developing glaucoma and
diabetic retinopathy at alarming rates. So, too, are Aboriginal
Canadians.
In fact, the chances of developing irreversible, age-related blindness
are one in nine by age 65 — and this figure jumps to one in four by
age 75.
Still not convinced?
Look at the client statistics of The
Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB). In 2002, the CNIB
helped over 104,000 Canadians adjust to vision loss. In just 15 years,
the CNIB expects to be serving at least 187,000 clients — a jump of 80
per cent.
Today, the CNIB is accepting a new client every 10 minutes of every
working day.
Look beyond the numbers and simply chat with someone who is losing
their vision, to better understand how serious the situation is.
Ask any of the thousands of Canadians developing vision loss who have
to wait up to 28 weeks to see an ophthalmologist, and another 16 weeks
to see an eye surgeon.
Or speak to an instructor at a training program for ophthalmologists,
who can tell you that Canadian schools are producing 20
ophthalmologists per year, compared to 40 a year in the 1980s.
Meanwhile, ophthalmologists are not getting any younger. The Canadian
Medical Association reported over one-third of practising
ophthalmologists are over 55.
Or speak to a Canadian researcher who can argue that the amount of
money Canada spends on blindness research is embarrassing when
compared to the amount spent by the United States.
The National Eye Institute of America (and two major private research
groups) spent approximately US$660 million (C$839 million) on
blindness research in 2003.
In Canada, the grand total for 2003 was approximately C$28 million.
And this is almost double what was spent in 1999.
Funding for blindness research in Canada comes primarily from two
sources: The Canadian Institute of Health Research (CIHR) and the
Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC). Other
funding comes from charitable organizations such as the E.A. Baker
Foundation of the CNIB and the Foundation Fighting Blindness.
THE PLAN
A meeting of Canadian and international
blindness experts at The Cost of Blindness: What it means to Canadians
symposium scheduled for January 31 and February 1, 2004, in Toronto at
the Fairmont Royal York Hotel.
THE PEOPLE
THE PURPOSE
To establish a coordinated, nationwide
approach to secure a body of research that will indicate measures that
must be taken for Canada to reduce both the financial and social
impacts of vision loss.
THE PURSUIT
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Position vision loss on the federal and provincial health-care and
research-funding agendas.
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Create awareness and a demand for change among the public.
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Ensure that public and private health reimbursement programs fund
proven treatments that restore, delay or prevent loss of vision.
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Determine the cost/benefit implications of health, rehabilitation,
and research programs.
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Establish a coordinated, nationwide research effort to further
investigate the cost-of-blindness issues related to health care,
quality of life, and rehabilitation services.
CONTACT:
Ellen Woodger, E Publicity (416) 483-2358
ellen.woodger@sympatico.ca
Sean McNeely, CNIB, (416) 480-7021
sean.mcneely@cnib.ca
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