2021 BCDO Public Survey Insight

By BC Doctors of Optometry and Edelman

Overview

As British Columbia moved to further re-open services as the fourth wave of COVID-19 approached, BCDO launched its 2021 Public Education campaign to remind parents to make sure their eye health is a priority during this time and that BC Doctors of Optometry is available to provide the services they need, either in person or virtually.

Given the shift back to a public awareness campaign designed to encourage British Columbians to book regular eye exams, it is important to understand awareness of the optometry services and treatment options currently available to patients, current attitudes and perceptions towards eye health, and barriers prohibiting eyecare or regular visitation to an optometrist during this unique time, with specific emphasis on the effects of COVID-19. The most impactful of this information will be leveraged to develop a communications strategy as the province continues to navigate the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic over the next year.

Background

The BC Doctors of Optometry survey reveals that maintaining overall eye health is important to British Columbians (95%).

However, frequency of visiting an optometrist has declined over the last year. British Columbians who say they visit an optometrist yearly or every two years has declines, likely due to COVID-19 (yearly visitation: 27% vs 32%; visitation every 2 years: 61% vs 68%).

While frequency of visitation had declined, British Columbians say they trust that optometrist offices in BC will follow public health advice and made safe decisions (94%) and are feeling more open to an in-person medical visit after being vaccinated (86%).

British Columbians still appreciate the option of consultation with an optometrist online (59% vs. 65%), and via phone (52% vs. 59%), however appreciation has softened this year. An increasing number of British Columbians believe that eyecare concerns are best addressed via in-person consultation 63% vs. 59%), and many are eager to get back into their optometrist’s office and see them in-person (77%).

The survey also shows that only 6 in 10 (64%) British Columbians were aware that children should have their first comprehensive eye exam by age 2.

Over 7 in 10 parents (73%) say that they sometimes ignore their own health concerns because they are too busy with other tasks yet 9 in 10 (91%) say that as a parent, it is important that they take care of their overall health, including their eye health.

BCDO is using the survey results to develop key messages, designed to guide all media and public facing communications from BCDO and its members to ensure eye health remains a priority even during this challenging time.