Vision Health Canada continues to advocate for enhanced vision health research. The Government of Canada's National Strategy for Eye Care (NSEC) recognizes that accurate, comprehensive, and accessible information is fundamental to the delivery of quality eye care in Canada. It also acknowledges that research and information support each of the other four pillars of the National Strategy and identifies significant gaps in Canada's shared knowledge of eye care and vision health.

To ensure the successful implementation of the National Strategy for Eye Care, Vision Health Canada believes that three fundamental and critical changes must be made by the Government of Canada to address the present research deficiency in vision health.

The first priority is a significant increase in funding for vision health research. Current Canadian funding levels are approximately one-sixth of those in the United States on a per-capita basis. Existing eye health research in Canada is focused almost exclusively on medical issues and does not reflect Canada's broader definition of population health. Much of the statistical information currently used to understand vision health in Canada is derived from research conducted in other jurisdictions and does not adequately reflect Canada's regional diversity. Canada has never undertaken a comprehensive national prevalence study on eye disease and blindness. Furthermore, very little is known about patient care pathways between healthcare and rehabilitation services, or between rehabilitation and successful social integration. Without a stronger research foundation, policymakers, healthcare providers, and community organizations cannot make fully informed decisions that improve outcomes for Canadians.

The second priority is the establishment of a dedicated Eye Research Institute within the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). Responsibility for eye research should be moved from its current placement within the Institute of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Addiction to a dedicated institute focused exclusively on vision health. Such a change would clearly demonstrate Canada's commitment to making vision health a national priority. It would strengthen support for medical research that advances prevention while broadening research priorities to include habilitation, rehabilitation, and the social determinants of health. Funding decisions should be evaluated by experts in eye health, including individuals with lived experience of vision loss, ensuring that research priorities reflect both scientific excellence and the needs of Canadians. A dedicated institute would also improve coordination with other organizations that fund vision research, creating a more coherent and effective national research strategy.

The third priority is the creation of a permanent Vision Desk within Health Canada. Eye care should no longer be administered as a secondary responsibility under diabetes programs. Establishing a dedicated Vision Desk would demonstrate the Government of Canada's commitment to prioritizing vision health research and policy. It would provide leadership in coordinating research across CIHR and other research partners, while ensuring that important findings are effectively shared with stakeholders, partner organizations, provincial and territorial governments, and all areas of government that influence vision health. A permanent Vision Desk would also support the development of public awareness campaigns based on reliable Canadian data, maximizing their effectiveness for both healthcare professionals and the general public. Finally, it would help position Canada as a world leader in eye care research.

The success of the National Strategy for Eye Care will depend on a strong and sustained commitment to research and knowledge generation. Its implementation must include increased investment in vision research, the creation of a dedicated Eye Research Institute within CIHR, and the establishment of a permanent Vision Desk within Health Canada. Together, these measures will provide the information, coordination, and leadership necessary to support the successful implementation of the National Strategy and improve vision health for all Canadians. 

In conclusion, and most importantly, meaningful investment in vision health research will help prevent avoidable vision loss, reduce the long-term costs of treating eye disease, and improve the quality of life of Canadians who are blind or partially sighted.