Australian optometrists have marked World Optometry Week 2024 by bringing attention to the need for better access to comprehensive eyecare – regardless of their postcode or status – and the important role the profession plays in diabetic eye health.
The World Council of Optometry (WCO)-sanctioned awareness week is running 17 to 23 March 2024 with the theme: ‘Advancing optometry’s commitment to global eyecare’.
Optometry Australia (OA) said this resonated with its own work to enhance access to comprehensive eyecare services for all, irrespective of geographical location or socioeconomic status. Meanwhile, Diabetes Australia recognised a southeast Queensland optometrist for her efforts to subscribe people with diabetes to the KeepSight eye check reminder program.
OA CEO Ms Skye Cappuccio said the World Optometry Week 2024 theme aligned “seamlessly” with the key messages of its Working Together for Better Eye Care policy platform reminding government, the vision sector and consumers about Australia’s serious eye health challenges and its impact on individuals and the broader community. It recommends practical ways in which “these issues can be tackled by working together with a renewed sense of urgency and genuine partnership”.
“As we reflect on the strides made in optometric care worldwide, we are reminded of the critical importance of ensuring equitable access to eyecare services. Across the globe, millions of individuals continue to face barriers to accessing essential eyecare, perpetuating disparities in vision health outcomes,” she said.
“In Australia, it is estimated that 90% of blindness and vision loss among both Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians is preventable or treatable, if detected early. Our eye health professionals are world-class with access to the most up-to-date technologies and drugs. Yet too often, Australians with eye disease are not diagnosed or treated in a timely manner. Improved utilisation of the maximal and evolving skill set of Australian optometrists is critical to reducing the impact of eye disease in our country.”
In recent times, OA has called for funding and regulatory system reform enabling optometrists to practise “to their full and evolving scope”. It has also advocated for investment to embed collaborative eyecare models into the health system, enabling optometrists to practise in a multidisciplinary treatment environment, underpinned by shared data and enhanced use of digital technologies.
“Through our advocacy efforts, Optometry Australia endeavours to break down these barriers by championing policies that promote the full scope of optometric practice,” OA stated.
“Our commitment to expanding the role of optometrists in primary eyecare and beyond is rooted in our belief that every individual deserves timely access to comprehensive eye examinations, vision correction, and management of ocular conditions.
“Moreover, Australian optometrists actively engage with international organisations and stakeholders to address systemic challenges facing global eye health. World Optometry Week serves as a timely reminder of the collective responsibility we share in advancing the cause of global eye care.”
Optometrist’s diabetes work recognised
Meanwhile, Ipswich optometrist Ms Elle Carson was announced as a KeepSight top performer as part of World Optometry Week.
An optometrist at Specsavers Ipswich, Diabetes Australia said she consistently flagged people with diabetes when they presented for an eye check. She offered them the opportunity to be registered with the Australian diabetes eye check reminder program.
To date, more than 400,000 of the 1.5 million people with diabetes have registered with KeepSight, an initiative of Diabetes Australia in collaboration with the eye sector. The program is funded through a public/private partnership between the Australian Government and Specsavers, with additional funding from Bayer.
In Carson’s community, almost 7% of the population (Darling Downs and West Moreton PHN) have diabetes (28,218), higher than the Australian average of 5.7%. More than 18,900 of those are registered for KeepSight reminders.
Carson said she took her role supporting patients with diabetes seriously and did all she could to ensure they were having regular checks as a best defence against potential vision issues.
“It is an honour to be recognised, and just like all optometrists, I just try to do the best job I can for my patients,” Carson said.
Specsavers ANZ clinical services director Dr Ben Ashby added that people registered with KeepSight accessed eyecare in a more timely and regular manner than other people with diabetes. And if issues were detected in an eye test, earlier referrals to specialists led to a higher rate of improved eye health outcomes.
Diabetes Australia acting group CEO Ms Taryn Black said it was fantastic to see optometrists like Carson committed to reducing the incidence of vision loss for people with diabetes.
“I’d like to extend my congratulations and thanks to Ms Carson. As a top performing optometrist, she has shown exceptional dedication to diabetes eye health, and we are proud to recognise her achievements,” she said.
“Optometrists play a pivotal role in administering regular eye examinations among people with diabetes and their work is invaluable in preventing vision loss and maintaining good eye health.”
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