Geospatial access to neuro-ophthalmologists in Canada: a regional analysis.

StudyCanadian journal of ophthalmology. Journal canadien d'ophtalmologie· Jun 2026

Geospatial access to neuro-ophthalmologists in Canada: a regional analysis.

Fowad Daud, Brendan K Tao, Arun Sundaram … Rahul A Sharma

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Neuro-ophthalmologyStudyQ2IF 1.3

Rural residence in Canada is linked to markedly reduced access to neuro-ophthalmologists.

Geospatial access to neuro-ophthalmologists in Canada: a regional analysis.

Fowad Daud … Rahul A Sharma

Canadian journal of ophthalmology · Jun 2026 · Q2 in Ophthalmology

Background

There is an undersupply of neuro-ophthalmologists in North America compared to care demand, which may be further compounded by barriers to care access, such as geography, education, and socioeconomic status.

Purpose

In this study, we sought to analyze the national distribution of neuro-ophthalmologists in Canada and evaluate factors associated with impeded care access.

Methods

A list of all neuro-ophthalmologists in Canada was compiled using the North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society directory, Canadian Neuro-ophthalmology Group directory, and additional input from the authors.

n = 100,000 people

Results

in rural areas, patients are much less likely to reach a neuro-ophthalmologist

Rural residency

0.56OR

Higher Indigenous popu

0.36OR

More results

Of the 5 433 aggregated dissemination areas in Canada, 1 817 (33%) are located further than 100 km from the nearest neuro-ophthalmologist.

The mean distance to a neuro-ophthalmologist was 155.0 km, while the median was 33.0 km.

The overall 3SFCA-adjusted rate of accessibility in Canada was 0.015 neuro-ophthalmologists per 100,000 people.

“

Conclusion · 1 of 2

There are disparities in access to neuro-ophthalmologists across Canada. Rural residence and an increased Indigenous population were found to be significant factors associated with reduced access to neuro-ophthalmological care.

Conclusion · 2 of 2

Further research should investigate strategies to mitigate these discrepancies.

Geospatial access to neuro-ophthalmologists in Canada: a regional analysis.

Geospatial access to neuro-ophthalmologists in Canada: a regional analysis.

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