The National Indigenous Eye Health Survey was undertaken by Professor Hugh Taylor AC, Harold Mitchell Chair of Indigenous Eye Health, at the University of Melbourne, in collaboration with the Centre for Eye Research Australia and Vision CRC.
“This is the first comprehensive study of its kind and the first time in 30 years we will have national data on the impact of eye disease on Indigenous communities,” said Professor Taylor.
“The survey puts into sharp focus the frighteningly high level of avoidable vision loss and the unacceptable deficiencies in Indigenous eye health. We knew there was a problem but the extent of it, and the sad fact that much of it could have been prevented, has shocked us.”
In contrast to the alarming adult statistics, indigenous children are five times less likely to have vision loss than non-Indigenous children. “Indigenous children are born with better eyesight than their non-Indigenous peers. However, by
the time they reach adulthood they are six times more likely to be blind and three times more likely to have low vision,” said Professor Taylor.
The survey found the major causes of blindness in Indigenous adults are cataract, optic atrophy, refractive error, diabetic eye disease and trachoma. It also revealed that more than one in three Indigenous adults has never had their eyes examined.
“It is a national disgrace that more than 94 per cent of the vision loss associated with these eye diseases is preventable or treatable,” Professor Taylor said.
The survey was developed through data collected from across the country, from Tasmania and the Tiwi Islands, to the Gold Coast and the Pilbara, giving an accurate picture of the extent and causes of vision loss amongst Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander people.
The data provides an evidence base to develop new government policies to finally deliver sustainable eye care services to Indigenous communities.
“The survey represents the first step in ‘Closing the Gap’ in vision for Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander people. The next step will be to review the availability and effectiveness of the current eye health services and deliver a report within the next six months,” said Professor Taylor.
“We will then make recommendations to government on the best way to develop adequate eye care services for Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander people.”
The Federal Government has committed AUD58.3 million over four years to tackle chronic eye and ear disease including AUD16 million towards the elimination of blinding trachoma that has plagued indigenous communities for the past 60 years.
A key pillar of the initiative will be to fund a national trachoma control programme developed by Professor Taylor.
“Trachoma was eliminated from mainstream Australia one hundred years ago. It is a scandal that it still exists in indigenous communities, along with other avoidable eye diseases,” said Professor Taylor.
“With a concerted effort and better eye-care systems we will close this gap once and for all.”
“This is the first comprehensive study of its kind and the first time in 30 years we will have national data on the impact of eye disease on Indigenous communities,” said Professor Taylor.
“The survey puts into sharp focus the frighteningly high level of avoidable vision loss and the unacceptable deficiencies in Indigenous eye health. We knew there was a problem but the extent of it, and the sad fact that much of it could have been prevented, has shocked us.”
In contrast to the alarming adult statistics, indigenous children are five times less likely to have vision loss than non-Indigenous children. “Indigenous children are born with better eyesight than their non-Indigenous peers. However, by
the time they reach adulthood they are six times more likely to be blind and three times more likely to have low vision,” said Professor Taylor.
The survey found the major causes of blindness in Indigenous adults are cataract, optic atrophy, refractive error, diabetic eye disease and trachoma. It also revealed that more than one in three Indigenous adults has never had their eyes examined.
“It is a national disgrace that more than 94 per cent of the vision loss associated with these eye diseases is preventable or treatable,” Professor Taylor said.
The survey was developed through data collected from across the country, from Tasmania and the Tiwi Islands, to the Gold Coast and the Pilbara, giving an accurate picture of the extent and causes of vision loss amongst Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander people.
The data provides an evidence base to develop new government policies to finally deliver sustainable eye care services to Indigenous communities.
“The survey represents the first step in ‘Closing the Gap’ in vision for Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander people. The next step will be to review the availability and effectiveness of the current eye health services and deliver a report within the next six months,” said Professor Taylor.
“We will then make recommendations to government on the best way to develop adequate eye care services for Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander people.”
The Federal Government has committed AUD58.3 million over four years to tackle chronic eye and ear disease including AUD16 million towards the elimination of blinding trachoma that has plagued indigenous communities for the past 60 years.
A key pillar of the initiative will be to fund a national trachoma control programme developed by Professor Taylor.
“Trachoma was eliminated from mainstream Australia one hundred years ago. It is a scandal that it still exists in indigenous communities, along with other avoidable eye diseases,” said Professor Taylor.
“With a concerted effort and better eye-care systems we will close this gap once and for all.”
