Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Canada

Monday, March 23, 2020

With the appearance of COVID-19 in Canada, the Canadian Association of Optometrists (CAO) wants to ensure its members and their patients have the most credible information available about the virus. In addition to checking with your local public health unit, the following resources may also help meet your information needs:

CAO Members

To support members with their practice during the COVID-19 outbreak, CAO has developed an Information for Members on Coronavirus (COVID-19) one-pager. Optometrists are further encouraged to check with their provincial regulatory authority for information about primary care practice guidelines and reporting requirements for patients with infectious disease.  
There has been some speculation that conjunctivitis might be one of COVID-19’s diagnostic features. From a literature review conducted by CAO, it appears that conjunctivitis is not a diagnostic feature of the virus. Only 0.8% of confirmed COVID-19 patients present with conjunctival congestion.

COVID-19:  Areas of Federal Responsibility

New cases by province

Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan

Public Health Agency of Canada

Information from CAO:

Information from Provincial Regulators:

BC College of Optometrists

College of Optometry of Ontario

Ordre des Optométrites du Québec

Optometry Schools:

American Optometric Association

American Academy of Optometry

American Academy of Opthalmology

World Health Organization

Le coronavirus (COVID-19) au Canada

Après l’apparition du COVID‑19 au Canada, l’Association canadienne des optométristes veut s’assurer que ses membres et leurs patients disposent des renseignements les plus crédibles disponibles sur le virus. En plus de consulter votre service local de santé publique, les ressources suivantes pourraient également aider à répondre à vos besoins d’information : …