(Ottawa, ON) – June 9th, 2026 – The Canadian Ophthalmological Society (COS) welcomes the Government of Canada’s historic launch of the country’s first-ever National Eye Care Strategy, tabled in the House of Commons on June 3, 2026. This landmark initiative marks a transformative moment for ophthalmology and for the millions of Canadians affected by vision loss and eye disease.
For years, Canada’s ophthalmologists have called for a coordinated national approach to address the growing burden of vision impairment. The new strategy demonstrates strong federal leadership and a commitment to strengthening prevention, improving access to specialized care, and advancing research and innovation in vision health.
“The launch of Canada’s first National Eye Care Strategy is a historic milestone for vision health and for the millions of Canadians who rely on timely access to eye care,” said Dr. Mona Harissi-Dagher, President of the Canadian Ophthalmological Society. “This strategy creates an unprecedented opportunity to strengthen prevention, improve access to specialized ophthalmic care, reduce avoidable vision loss, and ensure equitable outcomes for patients across the country.”
The National Eye Care Strategy prioritizes:
- Enhancing prevention and early detection of eye diseases
- Expanding access to timely and affordable eye care services
- Addressing disparities in underserved, rural, remote, and Indigenous communities
- Supporting research, innovation, and improved data collection
- Improving outcomes for individuals living with vision loss
As medical and surgical specialists in eye health, ophthalmologists diagnose and manage complex conditions such as cataracts, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and pediatric eye diseases.
As the national voice of Canada’s ophthalmologists, the COS will contribute its clinical expertise to implementing the Strategy and work with federal, provincial, and territorial partners to improve patient access, surgical capacity, wait times, workforce planning, access to specialized services, and patient outcomes.
The COS also recognizes the collaborative efforts of the Vision Health Partners’ Coalition whose advocacy helped elevate vision health as a national public health priority. The Government of Canada will begin implementing the Strategy with stakeholders nationwide, with further details expected in the coming months.
The Canadian Ophthalmological Society remains committed to advancing excellence in ophthalmology and supporting policies that protect and restore sight for all Canadians.
-30-
About Canadian Ophthalmological Society (COS): The Canadian Ophthalmological Society (COS) is the national, recognized authority on eye and vision care in Canada. As eye physicians and surgeons, we are committed to assuring the provision of optimal medical and surgical eye care for all Canadians by promoting excellence in ophthalmology and by providing services to support our members in practice. Our membership includes over 900 ophthalmologists and 200 ophthalmology residents.