MINDEMOYA—For 42 years, the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB) Eye Van has been providing vision care for the residents of 30 remote areas of Northern Ontario including Island locations. The van is fully equipped and includes a reception and waiting room, a vision screening spot and a doctor’s examination area. Vision exams, eye condition treatments and minor surgeries are performed and medical advice about vision health is provided.
The van travels throughout the northern reaches of the province from March to November and 25 ophthalmologists participate in the program with two CNIB assistants travelling with each doctor. As Monique Pilkington, the CNIB Regional Director for Ontario North explained, the eye van travels more than 6,000 kilometres and the on-board ophthalmologists examine more than 5,000 patients.
Recently, the Eye Van was in Mindemoya and many Islanders registered for the program which included ophthalmologist assistant Kelly Bowland who is from Stratford and not only welcomes patients and inputs their information, but also drives the van while the regular driver, Shelley Stoddart, enjoys a week off. Stefanie Couto, a resident of Kingston, is an ophthalmologist technician and she is on board to conduct eye exams while Dr. Mark Fava of Hamilton assesses each person’s eye health.
Dr. Fava, a graduate of McMaster University, is a cornea specialist and has participated on the Eye Van five times. This is his first time on Manitoulin as he tries to visit a different area of Northern Ontario with each trip. “It is really nice to be able to come here,” Dr. Fava told The Expositor, “as the patients are very appreciative. This van has everything that I have in my office and it is very good to be able to fill the niche that we do.” Indeed, on one trip to a remote community, the Eye Van specialists were able to help a resident who had glass in his eyes after hitting a moose.
The CNIB Eye Van will finish up this year’s trip with a visit to Wikwemikong and then start the northerly visits again next March.
