News From the College

Competition Bureau Article July 26, 2018

The College of Optometrists of Ontario and the College of Opticians of Ontario firmly believethe internet can be an effective tool for dispensing prescription eyewear, enhancing access and convenience in line with patient demands. Furthermore, the Colleges agree that a free and competitive market for corrective eyewear is in the public interest and are aligned with the Competition Bureau in wanting to ensure that patients have as many options as can be safely provided for in how they access their eye care. To that end both Colleges have already established protocols for Ontario optometrists and opticians using the internet to safely care for their patients.


Our court action is focused squarely on ensuring Ontario patients receive appropriate eye health care regardless of where they purchase their corrective eyewear, be that online or a physical retail location. There are provincial laws in place in Ontario to protect Ontarians' eye health that require a regulated health professional's involvement in the prescribing and dispensing of corrective lenses. Unfortunately, this is not occurring with the BC-based retailer involved in our claim, which we believe is in violation of the law and putting patients' eye health at risk.


Rest assured, our Colleges are in no way attempting to prevent online ordering or purchasing of eyewear nor will this court action halt patient access to eyewear online. There are many eyewear retailers in Ontario already using the internet to provide their patients with safe, effective, and affordable eyewear, including refills for contact lenses, in accordance with the provincial laws governing eye health care.

see all of it:
http://www.coptont.org/PUBLIC/whatsnew.php