Doctors vs. Optometrists: Eye Surgery Battle Heats Up

Ophthalmologists are raising serious concerns about provincial governments in Ontario and Alberta proposing to expand the scope of practice for optometrists, allowing them to perform surgeries and laser treatments. Dr. Nina Ahuja of the Canadian Ophthalmological Society deems these proposed changes "200 per cent unsafe," emphasizing that surgical expertise requires a physician's broader understanding of the entire body and patient medical history, not just eye-specific knowledge.

While the Ontario and Alberta governments suggest these reforms aim to improve eye care access by reducing waitlists for procedures like cataract and glaucoma management, ophthalmologists draw a sharp distinction between their extensive medical training and that of optometrists. The Canadian Association of Optometrists, however, points to data from the UK and US, where optometrists perform laser procedures, as evidence of safety and efficacy, stating their students are trained to manage potential complications.