Collaboration and innovation
ACCESS: Association of Canadian Centres of Eye Surgery and Standards.
ACCESS is a national network of eye surgical facilities across Canada, owned and operated by eye surgeons (also known as community surgical facilities – or CSF). They share a commitment to advancing excellence and accessibility to surgical eye care. We use and advocate for a scientific, evidence-based approach to establish national standards for eye surgery. Through collaboration and innovation, ACCESS enhances patient outcomes and strengthens Canada’s healthcare system.
Our members are medical directors and leading ophthalmologists of purpose-built, accredited day surgery centres—all dedicated to providing timely, effective, and equitable vision care for Canadians.
ACCESS works synergistically with healthcare stakeholders, including hospitals, regional and provincial health authorities, and academic institutions, to support national vision health policy and contribute meaningfully to the advancement of ophthalmology. Together, we champion a patient-first approach that ensures access to optimal eye care in every setting.
A proven model transforming cataract care in Canada
Cataract surgery is the most performed procedure in Canada with over 500,000 surgeries annually nationwide.
In the majority of provinces, cataract surgeries are now performed in physician-owned and -managed, purpose-built, and fully accredited community surgical facilities. Only 3 Canadian provinces (Manitoba, Ontario and British Columbia) do not outsource the majority of their cases. Operating within the publicly funded healthcare system, these specialized clinics have played a vital role in reducing wait times and improving access to care.
By shifting ophtalmic outpatient surgical volume to these high-efficiency CSFs, many provinces have made meaningful progress in addressing cataract surgical backlogs and improving care delivery. This model has demonstrated measurable success and is helping to reshape the future of vision care across Canada – but there is still work to be done. This shift has also increased hospital surgical capacity reducing wait times of other complex surgeries reserved for hospital settings.
Our mission
To unite Canada’s leading ophthalmologists and community surgical facilities in delivering exceptional, timely, and inclusive vision care—guided by clinical excellence, professional collaboration, and a commitment to national eye health.