Optometrists are calling for change – let’s ensure preventable vision loss becomes a thing of the past

As part of Optometry Australia’s ‘Eyes on Medicare’ campaign, passionate optometrists are stepping up to advocate for policy changes that will benefit both their profession and the broader community.  

Optometry Australia Vice President, Shuva Bose, a dedicated optometrist from Queensland, recently met with Graham Perrett, Federal Member for Moreton, to highlight the importance of reinstating two-yearly Medicare-subsidised eye examinations for Australians under 65. 

Shuva’s experience underscores the vital role optometrists can play in shaping health policy and ensuring preventable vision loss becomes a thing of the past. 

Why advocacy matters 

For Shuva, advocating for stronger public eye health policies is a natural extension of his passion for community healthcare. 

‘Optometrists play a major role in primary healthcare, yet many people don’t fully understand our scope of practice. This was a prime opportunity to increase awareness – not just about the need for two-yearly Medicare-subsidised eye exams, but also about the global significance of myopia management,’ he explained.

Shuva also pointed out that biennual eye exams are already an internationally accepted standard, making Australia’s current three-year schedule outdated. 

‘Early detection is key to preventing simple conditions from becoming complex, costly and harder to treat. In a country like Australia, it’s unacceptable that even one person should lose vision from a preventable eye condition due to a delay in accessing care.’

Meeting with Graham Perrett: Turning advocacy into action 

Shuva’s advocacy journey began with support from Optometry Australia’s advocacy team.

‘Optometry Australia guided me through the process of reaching out to my MP. Once I had a meeting scheduled, I worked closely with OA’s Optometry Advancement team to prepare. They provided me with talking points, data and resources – everything I needed.’

During the meeting, Graham Perrett showed a genuine interest in the issues raised and asked thoughtful questions – particularly about the economic impact of changing the Medicare-subsidised eye exam schedule from three years to two. 

‘Budgets are always a key factor in health policy, so he wanted to understand the long-term cost implications. He took notes, carefully reviewed the materials I provided and told me he would ‘do some homework’ to investigate further.’

Shuva left the meeting feeling optimistic, knowing the conversation had planted a seed for change. 

Why optometrists must be heard 

Shuva’s meeting reinforced his belief that optometrists must play a bigger role in influencing health policy. 

‘We are the primary eye care providers in Australia, so we should absolutely have a say in the policies that impact our patients and the broader community. Preventing vision loss isn’t just about eye health – it’s about reducing the overall burden on our healthcare system.’

He also believes that optometrists underestimate their influence when it comes to policy discussions. 

‘Policymakers want to hear from healthcare professionals, and our insights matter. If we don’t speak up, we risk missing out on crucial changes that could improve patient outcomes and strengthen our profession.’

Get involved 

Optometry Australia continues to call for urgent action to reverse the 2014 Budget decision to reduce Medicare-subsidised initial comprehensive eye examinations for under 65s from once every two years to once every three years.  

Without strong political commitment, Australians will continue to face barriers to accessing timely eye care. We need every optometrist to get involved today.  

1. Visit the Optometry Australia 2025 Federal Election page for campaign updates.  
2. Use our simple advocacy tool to email your federal representatives today. Every action strengthens our collective voice.  
3. Once you’ve used the tool, schedule a reminder for yourself to follow up in two weeks – you can even ask for a meeting to discuss this issue further! The Optometry Australia team is here to help you prepare. Contact us today, at policy@optometry.org.au.  
4. Help spread the word about the campaign! Use our ready-to-go social media assets, including captions, graphics and practice posters, to engage your network and encourage colleagues to join in. We love seeing our members take part – snap a photo of your poster in action and share it with us at community@optometry.org.au. 

We aren’t backing down – and we need your voice. Together, we can ensure eye care is a priority in this election and beyond.  

Looking for more information? Contact the Optometry Advancement team at policy@optometry.org.au.