Challenges for the future of
eye care in Canada

There are approximately 1100 ophthalmologists practising in Canada. The manpower committee of the Canadian Ophthalmological Society (COS) has recommended an ophthalmologist-to-population ratio of approximately 1:28 000. At present the Canadian average is close to this, but the ratio varies from 1:10 000 in metropolitan Vancouver to 1:45 000 in Prince Edward Island.

Between 1990 and 2000 there was a gradual decrease in medical school places and residency training positions across Canada. As a result, the number of ophthalmology graduates has dropped from approximately 40 to 20 per year. The mean age of the practising ophthalmologist is approximately 55, and with the ageing of the “baby boomer” generation the ophthalmologist-to-population ratio will drop to 1:38 000 by 2015 unless there is an increased supply of ophthalmologists.

Governments and institutions have recognized this looming problem. Between 2000 and 2015 there will be increased medical school and residency training positions. However, it will take many years for this increase to be translated into an increase in the number of practising ophthalmologists. In the meantime, the combination of budgetary cutbacks and the ageing of the population will produce a crisis in vision care.

The COS has recommended solutions for this imminent crisis to the Commission on the Future of Health Care in Canada (the Romanow Commission). Following is the executive summary of the COS submission to the Romanow Commission, circulated to all COS members last year at this time; the entire submission is available on the COS Web site (www.eyesite.ca). I encourage you to read the submission. If you have new concerns or fresh ideas, speak to me at the annual meeting, in Halifax, later this month or write to me at the COS. Your input and involvement are important to us as we chart our course to meet the challenges of eye care in Canada.

Duncan P. Anderson, MD, FRCSC
President
Canadian Ophthalmological Society