A reminder is going out to Albertans that they can bypass hospital emergency departments and head straight to an optometrist to treat eye injuries or eye-related diseases free of charge.
Since 2007, medical eye services that people get for free at hospitals or doctors’ offices have also been available at no cost at the optometrist.
Alberta Health and Wellness covers the cost of monitoring for diabetes-related issues, glaucoma and retinal disease, pre- and post-operative care for cataract patients, eye infections, inflammation or injuries including the use of topical medications, removal of foreign objects from the eye, and sudden changes in vision.
Previously, services cost $50 to $80 depending on the service and optometrist.
Optometrist Tanya Sitter, of Olds, said with the need for more doctors, teaching patients to go to the optometrist will help free up physicians to see other patients.
“I just hope we can help the health system work better,” Sitter said on Wednesday.
She said eye patients also get quicker medical service if they go to the optometrist, where they can receive triage and can be linked to specialists.
“Sometimes they end up in emergency for a long time, not necessarily seeing anyone to do with eyes while they’re there.”
When optometrist offices are open, a couple of appointments are left open for emergencies, she said.
Alberta Association of Optometrists also wants to encourage people with ongoing conditions, like diabetes, to visit their optometrist more regularly to manage their disease.
Optometrists are located in more than 80 communities throughout Alberta.
Central Alberta has 81 optometrists, including 26 in Red Deer, eight in Olds, seven in Rocky Mountain House and four in Sylvan Lake. Some communities have satellite offices with optometrists visiting one or two days a week.
szielinski@www.reddeeradvocate.com