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Earlier this week, Optometry Australia’s advocacy efforts took centre stage at Parliament House in Canberra, with a special event aimed at raising awareness about childhood myopia and the critical importance of comprehensive eye care for Australians.
The event provided a platform for the optometry sector to engage decision makers on the urgency of addressing the rising prevalence of myopia in children.
Attendees at the event also included parliamentarians representing all sides of politics, Optometry Australia’s national and state Presidents, representatives from the Optometry Australia Board, key stakeholders, subject matter experts and campaign sponsors.
Advocating for myopia awareness
The increasing prevalence of myopia among children is a pressing concern, with projections indicating that myopia is anticipated to affect 50% of the world’s population, and 20 million Australians, by 2050. In fact, experts predict that by 2050, myopia will be responsible for approximately one-third of all irreversible blindness worldwide.
Dr Kate Gifford, founder of MyopiaProfile, and Optometry Australia’s Chief Clinical Officer, Luke Arundel, highlighted that Australia is uniquely positioned to address the growing myopia concern.
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They emphasised that the combination of Australia’s highly skilled optometry workforce and access to best-practice management and treatment strategies places us in a strong position to combat the myopia epidemic.
However, they stressed the need for further investment to ensure patients and families are educated about the causes of myopia—including environmental factors that influence its development and progression—and the evidence-based treatment options available.
During the event and in meetings over the last two days, Optometry Australia called on Federal Parliamentarians to become champions for childhood myopia by utilising their community profile to remind Australian families to visit an optometrist for a comprehensive eye examination.
As part of our 2025 Federal Election campaign, we are also calling on the Australian Government to partner with Optometry Australia and invest in a national multi-channel consumer awareness campaign in 2025.
The campaign, already supported by many industry stakeholders, will highlight the need for early detection and intervention, focusing on the importance of regular eye examinations and is part of OA’s broader advocacy for stronger public health initiatives and systemic support for primary eye care.
Further details regarding the campaign will be shared in the new year.
Advocating for 2025 federal election campaign
Optometry Australia also took the opportunity to raise awareness of our 2025 Federal Election Eyes on Medicare campaign. The campaign calls on the Federal Government to reinstate Medicare-subsidised eye examinations every two years for Australians under 65.
This recommendation reflects clinical guidelines and aims to address a troubling decline in comprehensive eye exams for asymptomatic patients in this age group.
Optometrists report that many asymptomatic patients, who may be at risk of serious ocular conditions, are not seeking regular eye care. OA’s analysis of Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) data confirms this, showing a drop in the number of Australians under 65 accessing comprehensive eye exams since the introduction of item 10910.
The reduced uptake is evident across all states and territories, underscoring the need for policy change to ensure these Australians receive the preventive care necessary to avoid vision impairment or loss.
The road ahead
Optometry Australia continues to advocate strongly for a healthcare system that prioritises accessible, timely eye care for all Australians. This event at Parliament House served as a powerful reminder of the challenges ahead, but also of the opportunities to create meaningful change.
The message to policymakers is clear: Australia cannot afford to wait. Medicare must evolve to support proactive and preventive eye care, ensuring every Australian, including Australian children, have access to affordable, timely eye care.
Read more about Optometry Australia’s Eyes on Medicare campaign – A call to reinstate two-yearly eye exams.