In the last decade, and especially since the pandemic, the technology around telemedicine has seen dramatic improvements. There will never be a replacement for in-person medical care in any situation, but the ability to perform basic checkups and consultations via telehealth technology is a huge boon for reaching patients with mobility issues or who live in remote, underserved areas.
There are few more remote areas of North America than certain stretches of Alberta and Saskatchewan. There are also few areas more in need of telemedicine. In many rural and indigenous communities of the region, where access to specialized eye care is at near-crisis levels, telemedicine initiatives have become game-changers.
“With telemedicine, we’re able to perform many of the diagnoses, and often many of the treatment measures, that we would perform in an office setting,” says Dr. Noufal Mais, CEO of Digital Optometric Services, one of the telehealth businesses that’s reaching these regions.
Dr. Mais operates eight eye clinics in cities and towns throughout Alberta and Saskatchewan. He says that developing a telehealth business was a natural extension of his efforts to reach underserved patients in the two provinces.
“Our practice is built around providing the latest in eye-care technology, as well as the most advanced treatment tools and skillsets, to patients in underserved areas. There are so many of our patients with relatives who have trouble coming all the way to an eye clinic. We’re happy to provide services that allow us to reach them with check-ups and monitoring.”
In addition to his eye clinics and telehealth initiatives, Dr. Mais operates a Mobile Eye Clinic each summer, fully equipped with portable diagnostic tools for bringing advanced eye care directly to work camps and First Nations reservations.
The primary benefit of these technologies is the democratization of access to the latest in eye care solutions. Early detection and treatment of eye diseases are particularly beneficial in rural and indigenous communities, where rates of conditions like diabetic retinopathy are higher.
Despite the advancements, challenges remain. Internet connectivity in remote areas can be a barrier to telemedicine. Future directions involve integrating these technologies with broader healthcare initiatives and continuing to improve the affordability and portability of diagnostic tools. Collaborations between technology providers, healthcare professionals, and community leaders are essential to ensure these innovations continue to benefit those in rural and indigenous communities.
By bringing advanced eye care to the doorsteps of these communities, services like Dr. Mais’ Digital Optometric Services are not just treating eye diseases but are also contributing to the overall improvement of healthcare accessibility and quality in these regions. As these technologies evolve, access to eye care will continue to expand to the areas that need it most.
