A new eye clinic aims to make a significant impact in transforming eyecare for Aboriginal communities in Western Australia.

A media release from the University of Western Australia (UWA) said the clinic was part of an ongoing effort to close the gap in eye health outcomes for Aboriginal people, by addressing high rates of preventable eye diseases, offering culturally safe care and providing a platform for training future healthcare professionals.

The clinic at South West Aboriginal Medical Services (SWAMS) in Bunbury is supported by a partnership between the university, Edith Cowan University, University Department of Rural Health South West, Zeiss and the Fred Hollows Foundation.

The release said the collaborative initiative brings essential eye care services to local Indigenous populations, with a focus on culturally safe healthcare practices and community-driven models of care.

Associate Professor Khyber Alam from UWA’s School of Allied Health said eye health was a critical yet often overlooked aspect of public health, particularly in indigenous communities, where the prevalence of preventable and treatable eye diseases was alarmingly high.

“Conditions such as cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, and trachoma are disproportionately prevalent among Aboriginal people, often due to factors like limited access to healthcare, low health literacy, and cultural barriers,” A/Prof Alam said.

Research has shown that while these eye conditions are largely preventable and treatable, they remain significant contributors to vision impairment and blindness in indigenous populations.

It is estimated that more than 90 per cent of vision loss in Aboriginal communities is preventable or treatable with timely intervention.

Yet, many communities continue to face barriers such as a lack of local eye care services, limited access to specialised services, and socio-economic factors that prevent individuals from seeking necessary treatment.

The new clinic aims to address these issues by providing treatment and education to communities in need, in a way that respects and understands the cultural needs of Aboriginal people, the release said.

“Culturally safe care is key to improving health outcomes,” A/Prof Alam said.

“It’s about creating an environment where Aboriginal patients feel respected, heard and empowered to make decisions about their own health.

“There is a long history of Aboriginal people being excluded from healthcare systems or experiencing discrimination when seeking care.

“This has contributed to a deep mistrust of mainstream services. This clinic, and our partnership with SWAMS, is an important step towards rebuilding that trust.

“By ensuring that healthcare is provided by Aboriginal health professionals and in a way that respects cultural differences, we hope to offer a solution that truly works for the community.”

The new clinic will also provide a permanent clinical placement site for UWA Doctor of Optometry students, who will have the opportunity to gain invaluable hands-on clinical experience in providing culturally safe eye care, while learning directly from highly skilled clinician academics.

The clinic’s research focus will centre on addressing the unique eye health challenges faced by Indigenous communities, ensuring that the findings and innovations are directly relevant to the people who need them the most.

More reading 

Australian Eye and Ear Health Survey officially launched

Self-determination central message in keynote speech from nation’s first Indigenous ophthalmologist

Trachoma program makes significant inroads to close the gap

The post New clinic will help address inequities in Aboriginal eyecare appeared first on Insight.

Australia’s state health ministers have been warned that the proposed fast-track registration of Specialist International Medical Graduates (SIMGs) risks exacerbating a two-tier healthcare system in which the quality of specialist care is determined by a person’s postcode.

The warning came from the Council of Presidents of Medical Colleges (CPMC) ahead of the 6 December meeting of health ministers.

Ophthalmologists and their representative bodies will be watching developments with interest.

If approved they are likely to be included in 2025, in a new scheme that fast-tracks registration of overseas specialists into Australia and bypasses traditional vetting by medical colleges.

Both RANZCO and the ASO have come out with concerns about that, and fears that any new specialists will simply end up working in the country’s major cities, exacerbating workforce and health access issues in the regions and rural centres.

Associate Professor Sanjay Jeganathan, chair of the CPMC board, said: “As health ministers prepare to meet on December 6, 2024, we urge them to carefully consider the long-term implications of rushing registration processes and creating different standards for different regions.”

“The current proposal effectively creates two classes of specialist registration – one for metropolitan areas and another for everyone else,” he said.

The CPMC has highlighted concerns about the fast-tracking of international medical graduates:

– Reduced supervision requirements for newly registered international specialists under the new scheme.

– Shortened assessment processes that will not fully evaluate clinical competency.

– Limited oversight of the scope of practice in regional settings.

– Insufficient support structures for international medical graduates in regional placements.

– Lack of clear continuing professional development frameworks.

– No clear mechanism to ensure international medical graduates go to areas of greatest need.

“International medical graduates have long been vital to Australian healthcare, but they deserve proper support and assessment pathways that ensure they can practice to their full potential,” said A/Prof Jeganathan.

“Creating rushed registration processes doesn’t help anyone – not the communities they serve, and certainly not the international specialists themselves.”

The CPMC has called for health ministers to address:

1. Maintaining consistent specialist registration standards nationwide while improving the efficiency of current assessment pathways.
2. Establishing adequately resourced support systems for international medical graduates in regional placements.
3. Creating clear frameworks for supervision and scope of practice.
4. Developing structured transition programs for international specialists.
5. Implementing robust quality assurance measures for all registration pathways.
6. Strengthening mechanisms to direct specialists to areas of genuine workforce shortage.

“The promise to strengthen Medicare must not come at the cost of compromising our medical standards,” said A/Prof Jeganathan.

“We need sustainable solutions that support international specialists to meet our high standards, not shortcuts that risk patient safety and professional standards.”

The CPMC and its member colleges are keen to work with state and federal governments to safely implement this program and propose alternative solutions, including:

– Enhanced support and mentoring programs for international medical graduates via specialist medical colleges.

– Improved assessment efficiency without compromising standards.

– Better integration of international medical graduates into existing specialist networks.

– Structured professional development programs.

“Every Australian deserves access to fully qualified specialists who meet our world-class standards,” said A/Prof Jeganathan.

“Creating different standards for different regions isn’t the answer to our workforce challenges – and prior failed programs have shown it will exacerbate existing institutionalised inequality in healthcare delivery.”

More reading

ASO calls on members to oppose Govt regulatory moves

More medical professionals registered in faster clearance times, says Ahpra

Medical Training Survey 2023: RANZCO trainees working longer than peers

The post Health ministers warned that fast-track changes could bring ‘postcode’ health care appeared first on Insight.

Alcon has revealed its “highly anticipated” Unity Vitreoretinal Cataract System [VCS] and Unity Cataract System [CS] have been included on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods and notified to the WAND database in New Zealand.

These innovations are the first to be introduced from the company’s all-new Unity portfolio, and were shown to selected surgeons at the RANZCO Congress in Adelaide in early November 2025.

Unity VCS and Unity CS are designed to deliver enhanced workflow efficiencies over Alcon’s current systems, Constellation Vision System for vitreoretinal and combined procedures, and Centurion Vision System with Active Sentry for cataract surgery.

Unity VCS is described as Alcon’s “most advanced vitreoretinal and cataract surgical innovations” combined in one integrated platform. The system provides surgeons and technicians the benefits of maximised operating room space within one device, the company said.

It also includes optional laser indicated for photocoagulation, iridotomy and trabeculoplasty procedures.

Meanwhile, Unity CS is a standalone cataract system for phaco and cataract removal.

According to Alcon, Unity VCS and Unity CS leverage a novel phacoemulsification modality to deliver up to two times faster nucleus removal^{^} with 40% less energy* into the eye.¹

For vitreoretinal surgeons, the new technology offers cutting speeds of up to 30,000 cuts per minute.^#2 The platform offers surgical stability and efficiency with “a unique proprietary fluidics system”.³

More details on these and innovations to its instrumentation and consumables will be available at launch some time in 2025.

Alcon has tested Unity VCS and Unity CS during investigational advisory wet lab sessions with more than 200 highly experienced surgeons from 30+ countries, including several Australian ophthalmologists.

“At Alcon, we have a long legacy of involving our customers throughout the research and development process to deliver bold innovation in ophthalmology, and we would like to thank those who helped us arrive at [this] milestone,” said Mr Franck Leveiller, Alcon’s head of global R&D and chief scientific officer.

“We are excited to introduce the next-generation of equipment solutions and consumables – in cataract and vitreoretinal surgery – and deliver meaningful impact for eyecare professionals and patients.”

Worldwide, there will be an estimated 31 million cataract surgeries in 2024, and that number is expected to increase to 37 million by 2029.⁴ There will be approximately 2.2 million vitrectomy procedures in 2024 across the globe.⁵

Alcon said it recognised that the increasing demand necessitates enhanced workflow efficiencies and improved patient outcomes.

“We are excited to announce that our latest breakthrough technologies, Unity VCS and Unity CS, have received regulatory approval in Australia and New Zealand,” said Ms Penny Stewart, Alcon ANZ’s cluster franchise head of surgical and country manager.

“Unity VCS and Unity CS build on Alcon’s expertise in surgical equipment with pioneering innovations for vitreoretinal and cataract surgery – driving advancements from cutting speeds to fluidics management, to ergonomics and workflow. We are looking forward to continuing to gather real-world user experiences before we introduce these technologies in 2025.”

Unity VCS and Unity CS are the latest innovations from the Alcon Vision Suite – a product portfolio designed to help eyecare professionals increase clinic and operating room efficiency, and deliver exceptional patient experiences.

“The Alcon Vision Suite will continue to grow with cutting-edge Unity products that are expected to be introduced over the coming years, adding to our market-leading legacy products, which will continue to be available and serviceable,” Alcon stated.

More reading

Alcon supporting optometry students through educational grant

Alcon heralds IOL and contact lens sales in Q2 2024 results

Alcon launches TOTAL30 monthly replacement contact lenses in Australia

The post All-new Alcon Unity vitreoretinal and cataract systems approved in Australia appeared first on Insight.

Having a structured approach to the employee lifecycle can set clear expectations and drive staff performance, writes Karen Crouch in her final article for Insight.

In Part 1 of this article, we identified the cornerstones before a practice can succeed, covering policies and procedures, workplace health and safety and selectively recruiting staff.

With the practice now ready for the public, this article delves into managing the employee lifecycle and, importantly, their performance.

Induction and training are the first vital components to consider.

An effective induction program ensures thorough staff introductions. New employees should confirm their familiarisation with their new colleagues, as well as practice policies and procedures (including OH&S), technology, premises layout and location of manuals.

“Appraisals can prove to be an excellent relationship building exercise between employers and employees.”

Reference to documents and supervisory staff should also be encouraged. Organisational structures and reporting lines need to be clarified, including roles of other employee groups.

As a practice’s primary resource, staff must be trained sufficiently to ensure the practice continues to run with efficiency.

Training is also essential for risk management purposes. Exposure for mistakes usually fall back on employers, known as vicarious liability. Employees must be trained in practice procedures, including situations infrequently experienced, for example violent patients.

Staff should also be encouraged to attend seminars and conferences to keep abreast of developments and network with colleagues.

Employment & Award Conditions

A host of formal arrangements define roles and form the basis of dispute resolution.

Industrial Award – this establishes levels of salary and conditions of employment for workers in a specified industry.

Australian Workplace Agreement (AWA) – offered by an employer that may overrule working conditions of Industrial Awards or Enterprise Agreements.

Enterprise Agreement – negotiated deal between employer and employees or their union representatives about conditions of engagement.

Contract of Service – also known as Contract of Employment, employers control employees’ work duties and will generally be vicariously liable for their omissions. Employees are entitled to annual leave, sick leave, holiday pay, superannuation and workers compensation.

The Fair Work Act requires employers to ensure conditions include prescribed minimum standards also known as National Employment Standards.

Staff Appraisals

It is necessary to undertake staff appraisals for several reasons, including annual remuneration reviews, performance bonuses, communication and relationship building opportunities, and to demonstrate genuine interest by discussing development opportunities.

Appraisals should address:

• Performance from the past six to 12 months: Quality of work, affording employees an opportunity to discuss their own performances

• Development opportunities for the upcoming six to 12 months: To enhance contributions, forming a basis for the following year’s performance review.

Appraisals can prove to be an excellent relationship building exercise between employers and employees, and is evidence of the employer’s respect for their staff’s opinions.

They’re also a useful performance management tool. It’s an opportunity to say “well done, thank you for good work” while allowing for constructive performance improvement discussions. Similarly, it demonstrates the employer’s willingness to invest in the growth and development of their team.

Effective appraisal programs have some key ingredients: they’re continuous and consistent,  constructive and interactive, compare performance to targets (KPIs) and reflect practice policies such as attendance, punctuality, business values, interpersonal skills and teamwork.

They also need to motivate staff, identify training needs and welcome feedback.

Employee Performance Management

Having clear and measurable objectives are vital for staff performance. It helps them to understand the scope and expectations of their role.

Otherwise known as KPIs, these qualitative and quantitative measures should be; business-oriented and linked to overarching goals and strategies; achievable noting that not all targets are 100% achievable; and specific with measurement criteria and timeframes.

Some targets may be occasionally reviewed and ‘stretch targets’, if set, reflect performance excellence and achievement which may be rewarded through a bonus or promotion.

Collaborative Performance Indicators (CoPIs) encourage innovation through teamwork.

And now dear readers, after more than two decades writing this column, it is time for me to say goodbye and give someone else a chance to impart their knowledge and experience.

I trust my articles have been informative and relevant to your practice business efforts. Future plans for HPC look bright and we shall continue to be here for any of you requiring assistance. Please don’t hesitate to reach out. Until then, I wish you the best of health and happiness.

About the Author: Karen Crouch is managing director of Health Practice Creations Group, a company that assists with set ups, administrative, business, legal and financial management of practices. Contact Karen her
via kcrouch@hpcnsw.com.au or visit www.hpcgroup.com.au.

More reading

Take note: Using AI for clinical records

How to handle patient complaints

Advertising standards: Questions to ask yourself

The post Building a strong staff complement – Part 2 appeared first on Insight.

We have a rare opportunity to join our passionate, experienced and engaged Ballarat Bridge OPSM team.

We have a diverse patient base where we know our customers by name and have extensive relationships with local GPs and community allied health.

Make a difference in this appreciative regional community an easy 1 hour drive from Melbourne.  Practice full scope optometry with the latest equipment including Clarifye refraction & extensive pre-testing including pachymetry, topography, anterior chamber analysis, Optos Daytona, Optopol PTS920 VF, i-care tonometery and all in a beautiful newly renovated single optom room practice!

Contact melissa.downing@luxottica.com.au or 0437-031-623 for a confidential conversation.

The post Optometrist – Ballarat, Vic appeared first on Insight.

Mr Theo Charalambous has been appointed president and Mr Shuva Bose as vice-president of Optometry Australia (OA).

Charalambous succeeds Ms Margaret Lam, who has served in the position since 2022.

Co-opted director Mr Ramy Aziz has stepped into the role of treasurer, bringing a depth of finance, management and governance experience. And South Australian optometrist Ms Elise Pocknee-Clem joins the national board as a new director.

The appointments were announced during an OA annual general meeting on 29 November 2024.

In a statement supporting the changes, Charalambous praised Lam’s leadership of OA and acknowledged the contributions she had made to the association over the past few years.

“Margaret has been an exceptional leader, guiding the profession through significant milestones, and I’m excited to continue building on her work,” he said in the release.

“I look forward to working with my fellow colleagues to support optometrists and advocate for better eyecare across Australia.

“I’m particularly looking forward to helping drive Optometry Australia’s new advocacy campaign to reinstate two-yearly eye exams, and the upcoming 2025 myopia awareness campaign, both of which will have lasting impacts on eye health and the optometry profession in Australia.

“I have a strong commitment to ensuring we provide comprehensive and meaningful professional support to our members.”

Charalambous joined the national board in 2021. A 2001 Bachelor of Optometry graduate from the University of Melbourne, he also holds a Senior Executive MBA from the Melbourne Business School and the Australian Institute of Company Directors course in 2022.

He entered the optometry profession in 2002 working in practices in the Berwick and Pakenham areas before opening his own independent practice, ModernEyes, in 2008. Charalambous now owns and works across a number of OPSM practices across Melbourne and an independent practice in Hastings, Victoria.

Bose has practised optometry in retail and medical settings within metropolitan and rural settings, and is currently working in an independent practice. He is also a clinical supervisor at Queensland University of Technology, where he assists students in developing clinical diagnostics and management.

Bose’s prior research experience involves working in a research clinic investigating contact lenses and sports vision.

The statement said Aziz was the former CEO of ASX Ltd and holds a wealth of experience in the finance, strategy, risk and governance sector.

Is said he held a keen interest in healthcare, particularly in promoting professionals working in the health industry, and the provision of improved health outcomes overall.

Throughout his career, he has served as both a non-executive director and senior executive.

Aziz is a Fellow Certified Practicing Accountant, which recognises him as an expert in the field of accounting and finance, and a Fellow of the Governance Institute of Australia.

Pocknee-Clem is the managing director of three independent practices in Port Lincoln, Whyalla and Ceduna in SA and is a partner in a fourth practice in Victor Harbor. The practice group provide extensive outreach services across six other towns on the Eyre Peninsula.

She has previously served as president of both Optometry South Australia and Optometry Victoria South Australia (OV/SA) and oversaw the integration process of OV/SA with Optometry Australia in 2023.

Her professional interests are eye disease management, children’s vision, ocular therapeutics and rural and community eyecare. She spends much of her time managing the practice group and consulting in Port Lincoln and Whyalla.

More reading

Optometry Australia says Gov must reinstate two-yearly Medicare-subsidised eye exams

Changes to optometry Medicare coverage revealed

Optometry Australia’s 2024-25 budget focus

The post Changes at the top in Optometry Australia national board shuffle appeared first on Insight.

The Australian Society of Ophthalmologists (ASO) has launched a petition for the Federal Government to establish a private health commission.

The move follows months of ongoing and unresolved disputes between health insurers and the private hospital sector, including the closure of more than 70 private hospitals.

Last month Healthscope — Australia’s second-largest private hospital provider — announced it would terminate its hospital contracts with Bupa and the Australian Health Services Alliance.

Facing rising costs, Healthscope had earlier announced it planned to charge members of several health funds a “hospital facility fee” of $50 for same-day services and $100 for overnight services.

It then decided to terminate the contracts.

That has been criticised by a number of bodies, including the Australian Medical Association and Private Healthcare Australia, whose CEO, Dr Rachel David, called it  an “unethical new low”.

The ASO e-petition was launched through the Parliament of Australia website — EN6877 — and runs until 25 December 2024.

It states a commission is required to regulate the private health insurance and private hospital landscape to ensure the survival of Australia’s world-class egalitarian health system.

ASO CEO Mr Kerry Gallagher said the Healthscope stoush was the latest in a long line of examples that reinforced the need for intervention by a greater authority to save the private health sector.

“Minister [Mark] Butler has clearly decided to ignore his responsibilities and is distancing himself, declaring private hospitals should resolve their own disputes with private health insurers,” Gallagher said.

“There are ongoing issues in the private health sector that are not being resolved and are forcing the closure of services and redirecting unexpected costs on to patients, and it is everyday Australians who are losing out and questioning the value of private health insurance.

“In lieu of the intervention of government, and the elusive presence of the Commonwealth Ombudsman to provide oversight and resolve issues, it is clear the only way forward is the establishment of a private health commission,” he said.

“There are many examples of the effectiveness of current commonwealth independent commissions, including their long-standing presence.

“The security of our balanced health system deserves a similar but separate independent commission, and one that has the ability to cut through the messaging and market power of health insurers.”

ASO president Dr Peter Sumich said a strong private health system was essential for the sustainability of Australia’s overall healthcare landscape.

“Private hospitals not only provide critical services and reduce pressure on the public system, but they also offer competition to public health services and patients more choices and access to high levels of specialised care,” he said.

“Without appropriate funding, private hospitals may face significant challenges that threaten the safety and quality of care they provide.

“This situation could also lead to a threat to private healthcare generally, and then, to the collapse of the function and effectiveness of private health insurance.

“To ensure that private hospitals can continue to meet the needs of Australians, it is crucial to address the current and ongoing funding gaps which are forcing private hospital doors to close forever.

“This can be achieved not only through public-private partnerships, government incentives and policies that support both private health insurance, and direct funding for private healthcare providers, but also through the fail-safe of an independent private health commission.”

According to the Parliament of Australia website, petitions which receive 50 or more signatures may be referred to a minister for response.

More reading

AMA urges all parties to resolve Healthscope stoush, for the sake of patients

Good news for eyecare professionals despite cash-strapped patients downgrading private health cover

More older Australians seeking private health first time amid longer wait times

The post ASO launches petition to push for establishment of private health commission appeared first on Insight.

Unknown to many practitioners, Google, Microsoft, and Apple have created business directory listings for them without their input or permission. Carl Jones outlines compliance issues and practice growth opportunities.

Australian healthcare professionals generally understand the need to adhere to Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) Guidelines, The National Law, and the Competition and Consumer Act when advertising their services. Many practitioners are unaware of the rules in relation to local business directory listings. The Ahpra Guidelines define local business directory listings as advertising rather than social media.

But many face an ‘unclaimed listings’ dilemma.

Unknown to many practices and practitioners, Google, Microsoft, and Apple have created business directory listings for them without their input or permission.

These unclaimed directory listings often contain incorrect information. They serve as the first and often only impression a potential new patient gets of a practice or individual practitioner because they appear at the top of the Google results page above websites.

If the first impression is not favourable, people will tend not to proceed to your website and instead consider other practitioners.

The challenge of control

Practitioners cannot delete a listing created for them nor will platforms delete an unwanted listing. The platforms are in a race, each trying to be the largest business directory. Control and maintenance of these listings is therefore a problem forced onto the practitioner.

“These listings serve as the first and often only impression a potential new patient gets of a practice or individual practitioner.”

Listings are created from data found by Google on websites and crowdsourced by user suggestions. Google may find outdated information from anywhere on the web, and anyone may ‘suggest an edit’ to Google. Google may edit your listing information so that it doesn’t accurately represent what you do or what your qualifications are. Google will edit a listing, even if it has been claimed by you, and generally won’t notify you of the changes until you log into your account. That edited information is live to the public until you revert it. Constant vigilance is required.

Many professional associations in Australia have asked Google to disable reviews for practitioners. Google has not yet made changes in France, which is usually the first jurisdiction to win such concessions. Frustratingly, reviews are a central feature of listings and here to stay.

The solution: active management

Ahpra requires healthcare providers to Check > Correct > Comply when advertising a regulated health service. Practitioners need to manage the listings themselves or via a management provider.

Here are some steps to effectively manage your local directory listings:

1. Start by creating an account and claiming your listings on the following platforms:
– Google Business Profile
– Microsoft Bing Places for Business
– Apple Business Connect

2. Ensure that the data accurately represents you or your practice. If visibility to high purchase intent customers is important to you, consider the search engine optimisation guidelines set out by each platform or consult your management provider.

3. Frequently check your listings for data updates. Respond to all Google reviews with an acknowledgment that does not imply that the information in the review is a testimonial.

Flag all inappropriate reviews with Google and follow-up with their customer service team if the review is not removed after flagging.

Compliance with the Guidelines requires practitioners to check their local business listings and correct them as required to comply with Section 30 of the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law.

Compliance should always be met. This requires healthcare providers to have a real-time monitoring and audit process in place and to promptly correct non-complying content that is visible to patients. If it is impractical to frequently monitor your listings, consider outsourcing the management of them. This is possible by inviting a manager to your listings via the settings tab of each listing. You continue to own the listings, and the manager can be replaced or removed by you at any time.

The shift towards AI

In 2025, powered by AI, these platforms will aim to deliver a simple, perfectly correct answer to a user. The AI needs quality data to give a correct answer. Google regards the information contained in their own business listings as superior to information published on websites. Information on your listings, even reviews, which are often ill-thought-out, will soon significantly influence how the public perceives you and your practice.

Active management of online directory listings is a necessity for practitioners. A proactive approach helps to maintain professional standards, enhances the patient experience and assists practice growth. The time to act is now. 

About the Author: Carl Jones is a product specialist at localmanager.com.au.

More reading

A chance for Australian ophthalmic practice managers to level up

How to handle patient complaints

Advertising standards: Questions to ask yourself

The post Keeping on top of your business directory listings appeared first on Insight.

Vision 2020 Australia has successfully advocated for a multi-million-dollar Federal Government investment into assistive technology (AT) in the Indo-Pacific, ensuring those with vision loss can continue to live independently with glasses, white canes and other low-cost devices.

The commitment is part of the new International Disability Equity and Rights Strategy, launched at Parliament House recently, ahead of International Day of People with Disability on 3 December 2025.

It includes $12 million to expand access to essential assistive technology across the Indo-Pacific.

It mirrors Vision 2020 Australia’s request of the government to allocate an additional $12 million to improve access to affordable, high-quality assistive technology and wrap around services, in partnership with Pacific-led organisations.

Vision 2020 Australia CEO Ms Carly Iles was pleased that equity and inclusion was a key objective of the new International Disability Strategy, and that support for equitable access to assistive technology has been included.

“Assistive technology plays a critical role in ensuring people with vision loss remain independent. Simple devices like glasses and white canes can transform lives, helping people to see and navigate effectively, benefiting the health, economic and social well-being of individuals and communities,” she said.

“Well-prescribed, low-cost equipment enables people with irreversible vision loss to perform daily tasks independently, and for those with reversible vision loss, assistive technology solutions like glasses can correct vision, minimising the risk of adverse health outcomes including depression, falls, hip fractures and dementia.

“The need in the Indo-Pacific for access to assistive technology is immense.”

Iles thanked the government and Minister for International Development and the Pacific, Mr Pat Conroy, for acting on the recommendation.

“As the national peak for eye health and vision care, this call for action has been led by our members with expertise in the region,” she said.  “Such as The Fred Hollows Foundation, the Brien Holden Vision Foundation and CBM Australia, as well as consultation and support from like-minded organisations including The Australian Council for International Development (ACFID), and the Australian Disability and Development Consortium (ADDC).”

More reading

Deakin University joins Vision 2020 Australia

Vision 2020 Australia’s 2023-24 Federal Budget wish list

Optometry Australia says Gov must reinstate two-yearly Medicare-subsidised eye exams

The post Ophthalmic sector secures $12 million for assistive technology in Indo-Pacific appeared first on Insight.

Simply spending a few minutes at the end of a consultation to discuss options with a low vision patient can be a life-altering interaction, writes Vision Australia’s Nabill Jacob.

Eyecare professionals recognise modern medicine and new technologies have enormous benefits for patients with visual problems, but it’s important to remember many who lose their sight need help beyond what can be achieved with science and optics alone.

Unless you have had personal experience with sight loss – whether it’s progressive disease or an immediate loss – it is hard to imagine the life-altering impact. In most cases, the adaption needed is detrimental to the quality of that person’s life. All patients react differently; some may not yet be ready to accept it and the subsequent loss of independence.

“Maintaining independent living is arguably the most important support, we as clinicians, should preserve.”

Things like general mobility and navigation, digital communication, employment, socialising, shopping and medication management.

In addition, many studies have indicated the significant risk of falls or other injuries, exclusion and depression as vision decreases. Safety often threatens a person’s ability to remain in their own home. Maintaining independent living is arguably the most important support, we as clinicians, should preserve. The loss of something as simple as being able to read can be devastating.

What dispensers can do

Anecdotally, approximately 60% of low vision patients still wear glasses to help. Of all the eye professions, optical dispensers probably spend the most time with a patient assisting with optical needs in an arguably more relaxed and less clinical environment. Optical enhancement of their vision will be minimal in most cases, but this is where increasing the scope of your role may be beneficial.

Being able to explain a low vision condition and options, other than optical ones, can benefit the patient greatly. Making yourself aware of the specialised services Vision Australia provides to can be life-changing too.

As part of the eyecare team the optical dispenser is crucial. We know sometimes the optometrist may have already referred or discussed low vision services but hearing the same message twice can reinforce the message. Of course, sometimes things slips through the cracks and the optical dispenser can be the last line of defence.

helping a vision impaired patient

The great news is that life doesn’t stop after vision loss. By assessing a patient’s sight, namely their functional vision, Vision Australia can determine the best pathway. This may be maximising any remaining vision with more specialised optical aids, vision substitution e.g. use of senses such as hearing and/or touch, as well as looking at adapting that person’s physical environment.

Vision Australia can tailor strategies, services, aids and the latest technology, to achieve a patient’s personal goals and aspirations.

Regardless of remaining vision, or the stage of life whether it be a newborn or older Australian, Vision Australia can provide a one-stop-shop of services:

• Low vision orthoptist functional vision assessment, advice, optical aid options and prescription

• In-home assessment and modification by occupational therapists to promote safe and improved living spaces

• Mobility training to develop the confidence and skill to safely navigate the environs. This may include using a white cane with or without a Seeing Eye Dog

• Technology consultants can recommend a range of adaptive technology options based on individual requirements

• Support to prepare for, gain and stay in meaningful employment

• Facilitate understanding and access to the NDIS or My Aged Care funding streams

• Vision Australia radio and audio library introduction, with access to thousands of publications in multiple languages

• Age-appropriate social support groups

• In house direct access to retail aids, equipment and technology with expert retail staff to assist.

And yes, optical dispensers can refer, with a few things to note and some key criteria:

• The patient needs to be diagnosed with a permanent, non-correctable or progressive eye condition

•  If you have any concerns that vision impairment is putting a patient at risk

•  When a patient needs support adjusting to vision loss

• When vision loss starts to impact the quality of daily life

• Refer sooner rather than later when visual acuity and/or visual fields may be significantly impacted (e.g. < 6/12)

• The gradual introduction of the Oculo e-referral platform is ensuring a seamless referral option

Vision Australia has 150-plus years of providing services and programs to the blind and low vision community in Australia.

This is done in various ways including telehealth and outreach services across and/or through their 30 offices nationally. The message is simple: easy and timely referral to Vision Australia can be life-changing and even life-saving for a newly diagnosed or long-suffering vision impaired patient.

Even if a patient isn’t ready, planting a seed of hope that expert and compassionate help is available for them live the life they choose is important.

A few minutes spent during your consultation can make all the difference. 

About the author: Nabill Jacob is an orthoptist and the clinical relationship manager at Vision Australia.

The post Low vision patients and the moments that matter appeared first on Insight.