Events

This October 22nd and 23rd, an Aboriginal Vision Health Conference  will be held as part of the Vision Institute of Canada’s three day Annual Fall Conference in Markham, Ontario.  The focus of this two day Aboriginal program is to raise awareness about the looming epidemic of preventable vision loss that, within the next few years, will result from the very high level of diabetes among Aboriginal adults and children. Over 400 optometrists, optometric assistants and invited guests will be in attendance.

The purpose of the conference and an Aboriginal Vision Health Project that we are also actively engaged in is:

1) to raise the awareness of Canadian optometrists (who provide over 80% of the comprehensive eye examinations in Canada) about the vision health issues facing Aboriginal people;
2) to raise the awareness of Aboriginal leaders and health-care workers about the potential epidemic of preventable vision loss due to diabetic retinopathy that is facing the Aboriginal community due to the high rates of diabetes and the lack of vision care services available to them;
3) to raise the awareness of government and Aboriginal policy-makers about the need for an action plan to address the vision and eye health issues facing native people; and
4) to develop and implement out-reach programs to those native communities in need of  vision care services.

If you are interested to participate, please download AVHC brochure 2010 (189)