Changes to doctor fees putting Ontarians eyesight at risk: CNIB

The government’s recent decision to alter the OHIP fee structure will mean that ophthalmologists may no longer find it economical to own an optical coherence tomograpy (OCT) imaging system, which is used in diagnosing and monitoring macular degeneration (AMD), the letter says.

The government is also restricting OCT testing to four times a year, CNIB says.

Rafferty warns that cuts to visual field testing (VFT) could prevent early diagnosis of glaucoma.

“The two major causes of vision loss in Ontario are age-related macular degeneration and glaucoma. In fact, more than 50% of our clients have one of these diseases,” the CNIB letter says. “Both AMD and glaucoma come on with a few symptoms in the early states, but can advance rapidly and cause severe and permanent vision loss.”

Matthews said the changes to the fee structure follow the guidelines of the Canadian Opthalmological Society.

“It appears that the CNIB does not have all of the information they need to take this position, that their concerns are not well founded,” Matthews said.

The minister said she intends to listen to CNIB’s concerns and ensure the organization has the correct information about the changes made to the fee structure.

Opthalmologists have seen a $250,000 increase in annual OHIP billings over the last eight years, she said.

“Nobody likes to see their income come down ... but when they average $666,000 a year in billings ... there most definitely must be a rebalancing of fees,” Matthews said.

The CNIB letter says a study it undertook in collaboration with the Canadian Ophthalmological Society shows vision loss costs Ontario $7 billion a year, including $3.8 billion in direct health costs.