Blog vol 3. 36. More funding for cataract surgeries.
On January 16th of this year, the Ford Government of Ontario announced that it would be paying private clinics to perform cataract surgeries. This decision comes as a result of massive needs and really long wait times. As with any solution, this one comes with its detractors; the potential for private clinics to drain away already depleted staff from publicly funded facilities and the fact that the government is endorsing privately funded health care.
As an optometrist working with the system, it is important to point out that eye surgeons are trying to meet needs as best as they can. The queues for cataract surgeries are way too long.
The government is setting up three centres in Windsor, Kitchener-Waterloo, and Ottawa to help with the current crisis. It is also increasing funding to private clinics in other centres, for example, we have a clinic in Oakville that will be increasing its load.
We can celebrate shorter wait times, but we also need to be aware that these will be bare-bone services. As always if you want laser-guided refractive measurements or if you want to upgrade your implant lens, it will cost you.
The optional upgrades can be a necessity, for example, if you have a lot of astigmatism, or a large prescription, then you should spend the extra money for these services. There are real fancy multifocal implants that are having great outcomes, which require a considerable monetary investment. Many private laser clinics will even combine cataract surgery with refractive laser surgery for optimum results.
When you are talking with your optometrist, go over these options, and do your research before you go for your cataract consult. That way will not be overwhelmed when all the options are presented. It is great to know that many who are waiting for a life-changing surgery will finally not need to wait so long.
til next week,
the good doctor
