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Eye health
Overall, 94 per cent of vision loss within Aboriginal Australians is preventable or treatable; however, statistics show that 35 per cent of adults have never had an eye examination.
To address this, the Department of Health is working closely with the Aboriginal community-controlled sector, consumer and industry expert representatives, universities and colleges, as well as the Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO) through the Eye Health Subcommittee of the Victorian Advisory Council on Koori Health (VACKH). This subcommittee has been established to oversee eye health initiatives.
Several initiatives currently underway include:
- VACCHO have employed an eye health statewide coordinator to oversee eye health initiatives across the state, identify existing models of service, barriers to service, potential linkages and referral pathways
- The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital are appointing an Aboriginal patient pathways coordinator to enhance the hospital’s cultural capacity, identify pathways, and facilitate eye and ear health programs
- The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital will work with industry experts to better address eye screening and reduce barriers to tertiary care
- The Department of Health, in partnership with the Australian College of Optometry (ACO), have launched the Spectacle Subsidy Scheme for Aboriginal Victorians. The scheme allows patients access to a specifically designed pair of frames along with the prescribed lens for a contribution of $10, and is expected to provide and estimated 2,800 pairs of glasses over three years
- The Aboriginal Spectacle Subsidy Scheme will be offered to Aboriginal community-controlled health organisations that the ACO optometrists visit and provide eye care services to. Patients can also access the scheme through private optometrists in rural areas. There is no requirement for either health care card or pensioner status to be eligible for the Aboriginal Spectacle Subsidy Scheme
For further information regarding this scheme, please contact the Australian College of Optometry on (03) 9349 7400 or email aco@aco.org.au
