Indigenous eye health

Eye health and First Nations peoples

There is a significant ‘gap’ in eye health between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. Research suggests that around 30% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have a long-term eye condition and that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have six times the rates of blindness and three times the rates of vision loss as non-Indigenous Australians.

Much of this is preventable or treatable.

We are committed to supporting improved and sustainable access to primary eye care and improved eye health for First Nations peoples. To guide and support work in this area we convene the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Eye Health Advisory Group. Further, we acknowledge the work of the Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet, which is helping to close the gap in health between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders other Australians by making the evidence base freely accessible. Visit their website to find out more, and to find a suite of resources related to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander eye health.

Go to our how to get involved page for further information or contact policy@optometry.org.au.