When people dealing with vision loss are supported to learn how to adapt, and feel emotionally supported, their outcomes improve in many ways, writes SeeWay communications lead HOLLY KELLY.
As eyecare professionals, we know that vision loss doesn’t happen in isolation. A clinical diagnosis is often just the beginning, and for the person on the receiving end, it marks a profound shift in how they see, move through, and experience the world.
Yet in the current system, patients with permanent low vision who are not legally blind are often left to navigate that shift without access to government supports or services. This is where holistic care becomes essential.
Recent research and digital landscape analysis have revealed a stark reality: Australians with low vision are actively searching for answers – more than 130,000 vision-related queries are made on Google every month – yet the results served up are most often fragmented, fear-inducing, and largely from international sources. Up to 86% of online information in this space originates overseas and lacks local relevance or support pathways.
At the same time, four in five people with low vision are never referred to support services at all. These missed opportunities can lead to avoidable emotional distress, social withdrawal, digital exclusion, and loss of confidence – especially for those who are still adjusting to their diagnosis.
A holistic approach to eye health extends care beyond the clinical setting. It considers mental wellbeing, access to assistive technology, communication needs, and quality-of-life. Studies show that people with vision loss are twice as likely to experience depression and anxiety, and that family carers are also at heightened risk of emotional strain.
The good news is that early, personalised support can make a significant difference. When people are supported to learn how to adapt, and feel emotionally supported, their outcomes improve – socially and psychologically.
That’s why SeeWay was created: a national, free support platform for people with low vision who are not eligible for funded care. SeeWay offers access to no-gap professional counselling, personalised digital literacy training and accessible practical resources to complement clinical care.
For eyecare professionals, referring to SeeWay is a simple, meaningful way to extend care for your patients. It helps patients feel seen, heard, and equipped – right from the moment their vision begins to change.
Referrals are now open, visit: SeeWay.com.au
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