Optometrist ‘blindsided’ by the delisting of partial eye exam by Alberta Health
Posted January 8, 2025 7:45 pm.
Last Updated January 19, 2025 2:37 pm.
Starting in February, some Alberta parents and seniors will have to pay more for eye exams.
The province no longer funding partial vision examination for children and seniors — these are additional eye exams for certain conditions, above the standard one-year exam.
The Alberta Association of Optometrists says they were blindsided by the announcement.
“We’re actually quite disappointed that there were not any consultations with the doctors that provide the care,” said Dr. Sophia Leung, President of the Alberta Association of Optometrists.
“If there had been a conversation earlier, perhaps Alberta Health would’ve understood the ramifications of these changes and better understood the impact on Albertans particularly on seniors, children and those who are vulnerable.”
The Association is in discussion with the province to bring back coverage, but a spokesperson for the health ministry telling CityNews in part:
“We are working to better align program costs with other provinces and to make responsible decisions when it comes to funding the priorities of today, maintaining core services, paying off debt, and saving for the future.”
Adding that Alberta spends the most on optometry services in Canada and was the only jurisdiction that covered partial eye exams.
