The Ontario election is on February 27th.
The 2025 Ontario provincial election is a crucial moment for the future of eye care. As optometrists, we know how essential vision care is to public health, yet outdated policies are creating barriers to timely, quality care for Ontarians. This toolkit is designed to help you take action, whether through conversations with patients and community members, engaging with political candidates, or spreading awareness on social media. Together, we can make vision care a priority.
The Impact of Optometry in Ontario
75%
of vision loss is preventable with early detection and treatment, yet many Ontarians face unnecessary delays in care.
Optometrists conduct over
4 MILLION
eye exams annually in Ontario, playing a critical role in early disease detection.
An estimated
2.2 MILLION
live with an eye condition that could cause vision loss - modernizing optometry can ensure they get timely treatment.
Routine eye exams can detect
270+
health conditions, including diabetes, hypertension, and neurological disorders.
Vision loss costs the
Canadian economy over
Canadian economy over
$32.9 BILLION
annually.
Here’s how OAO is working to secure better eye care for all Ontarians:
The Ontario Association of Optometrists (OAO) is committed to advocating for meaningful changes in our healthcare system that will improve access to eye care for all Ontarians. Our key efforts include:
- Engaging with policymakers to push for expanded scope of practice, fair OHIP funding, and better integration of optometry within the healthcare system.
- Raising public awareness about the challenges in accessing eye care and why modernizing optometry is critical to patient health.
- Providing resources and support to optometrists so they can confidently advocate for change in their communities.
How You Can Make a Difference
Set up meetings with your local Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) candidates and use the key messages found in our advocacy toolkit. Find your local candidates here.
Encourage local colleagues to join you in your advocacy efforts.
Share social media posts from our toolkit and amplify the impact.
Key Messages for Your Conversations
Use these key messages when speaking with patients, community members, and political candidates:
Access to Eye Care
Needs to Improve
- Many Ontarians face long wait times for eye care, leading to delayed diagnoses and treatment.
- Outdated policies force unnecessary referrals when optometrists could provide treatment directly.
- By modernizing the system, we can ensure timely, high-quality care for all.
Optometrists Can Help Reduce Pressure on the Healthcare System
- Empowering optometrists to perform minor procedures and prescribe a broader range of medications can reduce ER visits and unnecessary referrals.
- Better integration of optometrists within the healthcare system means more efficient patient care and shorter wait times.
Fair OHIP Funding is Critical for Sustainable Eye Care
- OHIP funding for eye exams has not kept pace with the cost of providing care, making it harder for optometrists to sustain their practices.
- Ensuring fair remuneration allows optometrists to continue investing in advanced diagnostic tools and modern treatment methods.
Vision Health is Essential to Overall Well-Being
- Eye care isn’t just about seeing clearly—it impacts safety, independence, learning, and overall quality of life.
- Children, seniors, and those with chronic conditions rely on regular eye exams to detect and manage health issues early.
Social Media Toolkit: Share the Message
Help spread awareness by downloading and sharing these ready-to-use social media posts. Use the hashtag #YourVisionYourVote to join the conversation.
Suggested Captions
“Timely access to eye care shouldn’t be a privilege, it should be a right. Let’s make vision health a priority this election. #YourVisionYourVote”
“Did you know? Optometrists can help reduce ER visits by managing common eye conditions. It’s time to modernize Ontario’s vision care system. #YourVisionYourVote”
Add Your Voice In This Election
Help OAO advocate for meaningful change.
© 2025 Ontario Association of Optometrists. All Rights Reserved.