You’re being encouraged to go to the hospital rather than the Optometrist for eyecare.
The Ontario Association of Optometrists is encouraging its 1,800 members to refer patients to hospitals and emergency rooms.
It’s part of job action meant to address the Ontario Association of Optometrists’ claims of decades of underfunding.
They say that those decades of underfunding from the province have resulted in optometrists covering services “out of pocket” and putting some practices at risk of closing.
Dr. Sheldon Salaba has more.
The Ontario Ministry of Health did not confirm the claims of underfunding by the OAO and they are currently in negotiations.