Australia continues to Close the Gap for Vision for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians but it is not occurring fast enough, and we have missed the 2020 target with COVID-19 creating new challenges, a new report says.
Nearly one in three Indigenous Australians now access eye health services, with one in seven having eye examinations by an optometrist or ophthalmologist, a new report reveals.
Just three years after graduating, NSW optometrist Lauren Hutchinson has been named an Eye Health Hero by the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness.
Optometry Australia is developing guidelines on telehealth and optometry; meanwhile many tele-optometry success stories are occurring during COVID-19.
A new term of the Optometry Australia Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander eye health Advisory Group began on 1 July 2020, with six new members joining four returning members to provide advice.
Adelaide optometrist José Estevez is part of a team granted $1.4 million government funding to improve detection, screening and treatment of diabetic retinopathy in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
A cardboard desktop resource to encourage optometrists and practice staff to ask patients if they identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander is coming free to every member in the June edition of Pharma.
Online discussion groups hosted by Optometry Australia will help rural optometrists and those with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients connect with colleagues to assess challenges and leverage opportunities during COVID-19.
Optometry Australia has a strong commitment to supporting improved eye health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Optometry Australia is encouraging members to identify if they are of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander origin at membership renewal time. This will ultimately help improve care for Indigenous people.
