We know a lot about vision loss in Canada:

  • 8+ million Canadians are at risk of eye-threatening conditions
  • 1.2 million Canadians are living with vision loss currently
  • $33 billion is the total estimated cost of vision loss in Canada

But there’s still so much we don’t know. 

Why is the vision loss rate so high? What prevents Canadians from getting regular eye exams? How can we reduce avoidable vision loss caused by undiagnosed eye disease?

Specsavers commissioned Angus Reid Group to conduct a national survey to measure the attitudes of Canadians towards eye exams and barriers to seeing an optometrist. 

The survey revealed important issues around awareness, accessibility, and affordability. 

Read the full report: Canada Eyecare Report 2025

5 Key findings from the Canada Eyecare Report 2025

1. One-third of Canadian adults are overdue for — or have never had — an eye exam.

One in three adults do not follow Canadian Association of Optometrists eye exam guidelines, and 17% report that their last eye exam was over five years ago or never. Lack of awareness of the benefits of getting a regular eye exam contributes to a critical gap in early detection of eye diseases.

2. Many of the people who need eyecare most are not receiving the care they need.

Children, seniors, and people living with diabetes are less likely to receive care at recommended intervals, underscoring a critical gap in preventative care delivery. Late detection places a significant burden on the health care system, our economy, individuals, and families.

3. Affordability is a significant barrier to care.

Cost is the single largest barrier to seeing an optometrist, with 51% of Canadians reporting this is a concern. The affordability challenge can be seen in three categories of concern:

  • Lack of understanding of provincial coverage 
  • Lack of extended benefits coverage for eyecare 
  • Pure cost concerns combined with uncertainty about the value of seeing an optometrist

4. Canadians underestimate asymptomatic eye disease, delaying essential care.

42% of Canadians say that if they had a problem with their vision, they would know it. And 38% of Canadians would only seek care from an optometrist if their vision began to deteriorate, reinforcing a reactive rather than preventative approach to eye health.

5. Myopia is accelerating – but public awareness is not.

Nearly half (46%) of Canadians report a diagnosis of myopia (nearsightedness), yet only 18% are aware that myopiais on the rise, and just 10% understand its link to sight-threatening conditions such as myopic maculopathy or retinal detachment.

Read the full report

By exploring issues that impede access to eyecare and sharing this data, Specsavers seeks to bring together the vision health community in a shared effort to reduce avoidable blindness caused by uncorrected refractive error and undiagnosed eye disease.

Read the Canada Eyecare Report 2025

Did you know? 

Many Canadians are missing out on early detection of eye disease

More than 90% of vision loss in Canada can be detected early and prevented from progressing to functional vision impairment if eye exams are performed according to recommended frequency guidelines, including diagnostic and imaging tools, according to the CAO. But one-third of Canadian adults are overdue for their next eye exam. And even more children are missing out on regular eye exams.

You can have vision problems but no symptoms

A comprehensive eye exam uses advanced technology such as optical coherence tomography (OCT). This 3D eye scan enables optometrists to see what’s going on beneath the surface of the eye. This is important for the detection of common eye diseases that don’t cause symptoms until they have progressed quite significantly. Many people don’t realize their eye health may be changing without them experiencing any difference in their vision. 

Myopia in children is rising; awareness among parents is lagging 

Myopia in children and teens has tripled over the past three decades. But our survey found only 24% of parents are aware of the risk of myopia, just 12% know about the link between myopia and sight-threatening conditions, and only 27% of parents are aware there are contact lenses and glasses that can slow the progression of myopia. 

Noticed a change in your eyesight?

If you have any concerns about your eye health, contact or visit your local optometrist immediately – even if you do not have an appointment.

Book an eye exam