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20 - 'WHITCHURCH-STOUFFVILLE THIS MONTH" -- See Routine eye exams help prevent vision loss As a practising optometrist in Stouffville for 28 years, Dr. Martin McDowell has found reaction from his patients to the provincial govemment’s plan to de- list OHIP coverage of eye examinations for those aged 20-64 years to be uniformly negative According to Dr. McDowell, his patients appear willing to pay taxes to cover essential services mm“ fluflville This Montfi Is+ PRIZE: Family Pass Iva Hne Meho TOVOM'O Zoo 2% PRIZE: $7? 6i“! CevfificnI-e Fov Toys R Us ’5“ PRIZE: $50 6i“ Cevfificawe Gov Toys R Us CoIourIng contest Is for children up to the age of 10. Child's Name: Age: Address: ‘ Parent’s Name: Phone at , Bring this picture by our booth at the Strawberry Festival or drop it by the shop before July 3, to win: o\ owing COM-exi- STOUFFVILLE CAR CLINIC LTD. mum; 5998 MAIN STREET srourmus, our. IAA 3A I (905)640-2462 such as eye care that they feel they require. He acknowledges the pressure the government is under to eliminate the deficit. but questions how much de-llsting eye examinations will save taxpayers. With a budget of $I20 million. eye care represents a small percentage of the overall $30 billion health care budget. The budget speech contained a blanket statement that eye examinations for Strawberryfestival us on ‘www.stoujfvilleonline.wm' individuals aged 20 to 64 Would be de-listed, but the Ministry of Health has subsequently suggested that "medically necessary" eye examinations may be covered when patients receive a referral from their family physician. Dr. McDowell confirmed that details as to what constitutes "medically necessary" have not been provided. OHIP compensation rates to Optometrist have not increased since l988. which means the rate compensated falls below the costs of providing an eye examination. In their ongoing negotiations with the Ministry of Health, the Ontario Association of Optometrist identified de- listing services as a last option. However. according to Dr. McDowell the association learned of the de-listing decision during the budget speech along with the rest of the public. "I think the government made a move on this and now they are reacting to The council defines a Character Community as ”one in which elected officials. community leaders in the education. business and faith communities. law enforcement and media Local resident Lisa McGill has been selected as the Whitchurch- Stouffville representative on the York Region Character Community Council. "Routine care promotes early detection and early treatment which prevents vision loss," said Dr. McDowell. Cataracts. glaucoma. macular degeneration. diabetes and high blood pressure constitute‘the five major health problems that affect eye sight and preventative steps can be taken to lessen the loss of sight or prevent it altogether. reaction." he said. He believes that "vision is a health issue and to suggest otherwise is not accurate." Professionals in the eye care field practise with an ethical responsibility to care for the population; recommending routine exams for the purpose of early detection and treatment of eye disease. Lisa McGill selected as representative on Character Council Welcome Back All snss Alumni!! A specific character attribute is highlighted for each month of the year. with integrity chosen for My To learn more, or to get involved, visit www.charactercommunity. com. sectors and citizens-at- large recognize and promote the importance of good character. A Character Community has leaders who model the character attributes." "My practice will continue -- there are enough patients of means to keep it going," said Dr. McDowell. "What concerns me is the little guy that is going to get hit with something he can't afford." The optometrist feels that the deâ€"listing plan as currently outlined is "a policy that is going to hit the weakest and poorest and will produce only miniscule savings." Eye care is not specifically mentioned within the Canada Health Act and m, provinces are not required to provide this service; to their citizens under medicare. Ontario is following the example of other provinces that\fiave de- listed eye examinations as a means of saving money. JULY 2004