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CNIB Eye Van

Idea acf3495:

Saving Sight in Northern Ontario

Posted November 9, 2009

  • Posted by: Monique Pilkington
  • Organization: CNIB Eye Van
  • Location: 30 remote communities in Northern ON, Sudbury, ON
  • Category: Promote Well-being
  • Cost: Big ($50,000 – $250,000)

Good health and eyesight are vital to everyone, no matter where you live in Canada. For the residents of remote northern Ontario communities, accessing an eye doctor or ophthalmologist is a huge challenge. Communities are too small and too isolated, and weather and transportation provide further barriers. Without eye care services, people with serious eye conditions risk permanent vision loss or blindness.

Since its inaugural trek across northern Ontario in 1972, the CNIB Eye Van has grown from a small, modified Winnebago motor home to a state-of-the-art, fully equipped custom designed cab with a 48-foot trailer staffed by a team of rotating ophthalmologists and two ophthalmic nurses. This innovative program is not only unique to Northern Ontario, but is the only program of its kind in Canada.

Each year from March to November, the Eye Van team carries out vision-screening, treatment of eye conditions, minor eye surgery, and educational seminars for more than 5,000 patients, an average of 40 patients a day, in 30 communities spanning approximately 5,000 miles.

For Mrs. Kathleen Sauvé and her daughter, visiting the Eye Van turned out to be more than good vision health. In her letter to Eye Van physician, Dr. Steve Arshinoff, MD, FRCSC, Mrs. Sauvé wrote,

“As you are aware, you attended to my daughter who had been very sick for two years. Being very upset and not knowing who to turn to, I decided to have her examined at the CNIB Eye Van. As you know, you diagnosed that she had a brain tumour and sent us to Toronto for an operation. I want to express my gratitude for the important part that you and the CNIB Eye Van had in saving my daughter’s life.”

The Eye Van’s success can be attributed to the strength of its partnerships with many community groups, corporations and individuals. While the Eye Van receives 65% of its operating funding from the Ontario health ministry, CNIB must raise $150,000 annually to run the program.

We desperately need support from the Aviva Community Fund to ensure the Eye Van continues to provide quality health care to the people who need it the most. Times are tough, and raising funds has become extremely challenging while operating costs, like fuel, are increasing. $100,000 from the Aviva Community Fund will have a significant impact on our ability to achieve our goals to upgrade our unit and diagnostic equipment. We want to ensure that people who may not be able to travel to an urban centre can still see a vision health professional and receive quality, state-of the-art vision health care in their own community.

CNIB is a nationwide, community-based, registered charity committed to research, public education and vision health for all Canadians. CNIB’s Mission is to enhance independence for people with vision loss and to be the leader in promoting vision health.


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