Eyes & Vision Health
Improving eye and vision health in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities through best practice care
What we do
We work closely with Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs) and partners in the eye health sector to raise awareness of eye diseases and the importance of regular eye and vision checks.
A key aim of the program is to identify the challenges and barriers faced by services in delivering eye health care and to codesign strategies that promote access to quality and culturally safe services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Our initiatives
NACCHO’s eye and vision health program is committed to supporting ACCHOs to embed best practice eye and vision services as part of a holistic approach to primary health care.
Some of our key initiatives include:
- Gathering insights into the challenges and barriers faced by services in delivering eye health care, initially via the PrioritEYES survey and ongoing engagement with the sector.
- Building the capacity and confidence of Aboriginal Health Workers and Health Practitioners through online and self-paced training modules.
- Developing webinars that provide practical examples of eye and vision health strategies being implemented across the country.
- Ensuring that the ACCHO sector and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices are represented in national and jurisdictional policy and program decision-making for eye health and vision care.
- Collaborating with key stakeholders in the ACCHO sector to help eliminate preventable eye diseases and vision loss in the community.
Our approach
The National Agreement on Closing the Gap and the four priority reforms serve as the foundation for our approach to improving eye and vision health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations. These reforms aim to address disparities and achieve health outcomes equivalent to those of all Australians. By working closely with ACCHOs, we aim to increase awareness of eye and vision problems and highlight the importance of regular eye examinations and follow-up treatment.
Our impact
Although eye and vision health has improved for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people over the last decade, adults are still three times more likely to experience vision loss or blindness than other Australians.
Many eye conditions develop without noticeable symptoms, making early detection crucial to prevent long-term, irreversible damage that affects quality of life and participation in community and cultural activities.
To address this, we focus on raising awareness about early intervention and screening while building capacity through culturally safe healthcare. A multi-pronged approach is key to reducing disparities, and the work of the ACCHO sector plays a vital role in the positive outcomes highlighted in the annual Eye Health Measures for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People report.
Committees
Australian Trachoma Alliance
Resources
NACCHO’s eye and vision health program resource library offers publications and tools to support communities and health professionals.
Subsidised Spectacle Schemes
Subsidised Spectacle Schemes operate across the country. Each state and territory offer different approaches to eligibility, entitlemecost and payment systems. Click the links to learn more about each program.
- Australian Capital Territory: Spectacles Subsidy Scheme
- Queensland: Medical Aids Subsidy Scheme (MASS)
- New South Wales: NSW Spectacles Program, Service NSW
- New South Wales: NSW Spectacles Program, Vision Australia
- Northern Territory: Spectacles Concession Scheme
- South Australia: GlassesSA
- Tasmania: Statewide Spectacles and Intra Ocular Assistance Scheme
- Victoria: Victorian Aboriginal Spectacles Supply Scheme (VASSS)
Eye health measures for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people 2022: in brief (aihw.gov.au)
ACCHO locations
NACCHO oversees a network of 146 members, each running Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs) across urban, regional, and remote Australia. These ACCHOs range from large facilities with multiple healthcare professionals providing comprehensive services to smaller centres focused on preventive care and health education, primarily delivered by Aboriginal Health Workers and nurses.
NACCHO’s Aged Care programs are delivered in selected locations across its network, ensuring culturally appropriate care reaches Elders and older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in diverse urban, regional, and remote communities.
Contact
For any inquiries or assistance, please contact the Eyes & Vision Health team at: eyes@naccho.org.au.
