Frequency and source of prescription eyewear insurance coverage in Ontario: a repeated population-based cross-sectional study using survey data

Abstract

A n estimated 57% of Canadians aged 20 years or older (16.8 million people in 2019 1) have some form of vision problem requiring optical correction; 2 the proportion among Canadians aged 50 or older is 80%. 2 In the United States, clinically important refractive errors similarly affect over half of Americans. 3 An appropriate pair of eyeglasses is a simple means to correct vision problems caused by refractive errors. However, the affordability of eyeglasses and contact lenses, referred to as prescription eyewear, is a major public health concern. 4-7 In Canada, the cost of a pair of prescription eyeglasses may be prohibitive, ranging from $240 to $1000 in retail stores. 8