Atlantic Associations of Optometrists Occupational Vision Care Program
The Atlantic Associations of Optometrists have developed a comprehensive, unified, occupational vision care and eye protection program. This is the only program in the Atlantic provinces that offers not only prescription eyewear, but also a full service occupational vision care program.
Created as the standard for industrial vision care, this program is offered jointly by the New Brunswick Association of Optometrists (NBAO), the Nova Scotia Association of Optometrists (NSAO), the Prince Edward Island Association of Optometrists (PEIAO), and the Newfoundland & Labrador Association of Optometrists (NAO). Eliminating many of the problems associated with other eye safety programs, the OVC program is designed to meet the increasing vision care needs of modern industry. This program is available to any employer in the Atlantic provinces on a contract basis.
The OVC program has two primary objectives. The first is to provide comprehensive vision care. This ensures the worker’s visual abilities are equal to the requirements that his/her occupation demand, thereby eliminating those accidents caused by insufficient abilities or fatigue from excessive visual demands.
The second objective is to ensure the provision of the correct safety eyewear, verified for accuracy, and individually fitted and adjusted to the worker. This reduces eye accidents and complaints associated with incorrect or ill-fitting safety glasses, thereby improving worker compliance with employer safety practices.
Optometry is the only vision care profession with the ability to perform the visual diagnosis, prescribe lenses, and design, verify and fit spectacles to meet the functional requirements of the workplace. It’s the simple concept of one-stop shopping.
Important Features
• Professional Services: Employers are able to utilize the full scope (ie. examination and dispensing) of services of their local optometrists
• Accessibility: Optometrists are located throughout the Atlantic provinces, and are much more regionally distributed than retail opticals.
• Accountability: The optometrist is accountable for the total service when they provide both examination and dispensing services.
• Choice: The employee’s freedom to choose the eye care practitioner of his/her choice is maintained.
• Ease of administration: The NBAO handles complete administration of the program, which reduces costs and simplifies procedures for client-companies.
• Cost effectiveness: The Occupational Vision Care Program (OVC) is cost effective as compared to safety eyeglass programs available through retail chains or outlets.
• Time savings: The worker is only away from work for two visits (ie. [1] eye exam plus frame selection; [2] final dispensing) versus three visits necessary for retail chain programs (ie. [1] eye exam; [2] frame selection at the optical outlet; [3] final dispensing).
• No hidden costs: The total cost of safety glasses is based on the manufacturer’s wholesale cost of frames and lenses, plus a reduced professional fee paid to the optometrist. The administration fee paid to the NBAO is based on 10% of wholesale material costs and professional fees.
• Conformance to CSA standards: Frames used in the OVC program have been independently tested to ensure they conform to the specifications as mandated in the CSA standards.
• Access to advice: The OVC Committee members are familiar with all aspects of vision.
The OVC program is the only one that provides a complete package – examination and dispensing services, optical materials, and administration – by a single group. We are dedicated to providing a quality service while controlling your costs.
For more information please contact us at (506)458-8759.
Further information about eyewear safety standards can be obtained from the Canadian Standards Association.
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