As awareness lags, ophthalmologists push for early eye exams and AI-assisted screening
Three in four Canadians are unaware that diabetes can cause vision loss, according to a new national survey released by the Canadian Ophthalmological Society.
The survey found only 25% of Canadians are familiar with diabetic retinopathy, a leading cause of blindness among adults. The findings come ahead of Diabetes Awareness Month, highlighting a critical gap in public health knowledge that could put millions at risk.
While 92% of Canadians say it’s important to have access to innovative eye exams and treatments, only 75% feel they actually have that access. This gap between awareness and accessibility poses serious risks for Canadians living with diabetes, particularly since early detection can prevent up to 90% of vision loss caused by D.
“Three in four Canadians are unaware that diabetes can cause vision loss, which puts many individuals at risk,” said Dr. Mona Dagher, president of the Canadian Ophthalmological Society. “Particularly for those living with diabetes, early detection is critical as it allows eye care professionals to identify retinal changes before significant damage occurs and provide timely treatment or referrals tailored to the individual’s condition.”
The survey found that while most Canadians are familiar with common eye diseases such as cataracts (65%) and glaucoma (53%), awareness of diabetic retinopathy remains the lowest on the list, well below even less prevalent conditions.
Awareness levels are slightly higher among older adults (27% among those 55+) and women (27% versus 23% among men), but remain well below what experts consider adequate given the growing prevalence of diabetes across all age groups.
Canadians showed strong support for technological innovation in eye care, with 92% saying access to advanced exams and treatments is important. More than half (52%) said they are open to technologies such as artificial intelligence assisting in diagnosis.
“We’re seeing rapid advances in diagnostic imaging and AI-supported screening that can help ophthalmologists detect diabetic eye disease earlier than ever before,” said Dagher. “But awareness and access are equally important; Canadians need to know when to get checked and where to go.”
The society is encouraging all Canadians living with or at risk of developing diabetes to schedule a comprehensive eye exam. Regular checkups can help detect early signs of diabetic retinopathy before symptoms appear, protecting vision and improving long-term outcomes.
The Canadian Ophthalmological Society represents more than 900 ophthalmologists and 200 ophthalmology residents across Canada.
