Author’s Disclosure Block: Dana Toameh, none; Annaba Tasnia, none; Neeru Gupta, none

Abstract Body
Purpose:Indigenous communities in geographically diverse regions may encounter distinctive eye health challenges stemming from restricted access to specialized providers and the influence of comorbidities. This study aims to illuminate these disparities and enhance our comprehension of eye care provision for Indigenous populations in Canada. Study Design: To understand access to eyecare services and comorbiditiesof Indigenouscommunitiesin British Columbia (BC),Canada, compared tonon-Indigenous populations. Methods: BC Stats was used to collect information on all203 Indigenous communitiesin BC (accessed July 1, 2023). Using boundary and populationdata, communities weremappedtocities, and categorized by health authority (Fraser, Interior, Northern, Vancouver Coastal, and Vancouver Island). The total city population for Indigenous/non-Indigenous residents was aggregatedperhealthauthority (Canadian Census 2021, Statistics Canada).TheCollege of Physicians and Surgeons ofBCandthe College ofOptometristsBCwere accessed (July 17, 2023) to determine the numbers of active ophthalmologists and optometristsand were mapped by health authority.Provider-to-population ratios per 100,000 were calculated.Latest comorbidity dataonobesity, diabetes,hypertension,andsmoking habitswere obtained for Indigenous/non-Indigenous populations (Canadian Community Health Survey2015-2016, Statistics Canada) and analyzed using ANOVA tests. Results: Indigenouspeoplerepresent 5.9% of BC’s population, located in the Interior (24.8%), Fraser (22.3%), Vancouver Island (22.2%), Northern (19.4%), and Vancouver Coastal (11.4%) Health Authorities. Ophthalmologists per 100,000 were Vancouver Coastal (7.68), Vancouver Island (5.95), Fraser (3.75), Northern (3.2) and Interior (2.84) health. Optometrists per 100,000 were Vancouver Island (20.1), Interior (17.91), Vancouver Coastal (17.59), Northern (17.45), Fraser (14.32) health. Significant comorbidity disparities between Indigenous/non-Indigenous groups included obesity (37.1% vs. 15.3%;p<.05), smoking (28.5% vs. 10.9%;p<.05), diabetes (8.6% vs. 5.8%;p<.05), and hypertension (20.2% vs. 19%; p<.05). Conclusion: Indigenous communities face significant eye care disparities and higher comorbidity rates that are known to increase the risk of eye disease. Greaterevidence-based attentionis neededto develop and implementtargeted, culturally sensitive solutions to prevent vision loss in this population