As Australia marks National Close the Gap Day, RANZCO has reaffirmed its commitment to increasing the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ophthalmologists. Read more
OCTs and injection clinics in Top End communities end costly trips for care
Funding for OCT machines and the embedding of medical retina and injection clinics in two new locations in the Northern Territory’s Top End has helped turn around poor treatment attendance and compliance among the local Indigenous population. Read more
Sector lays out $280 million public cataract surgery plan
Australia’s peak body for the eye health and vision sector has called on the Federal Government to spend $67 million over the next 12 months to deliver 66,000 more public cataract surgeries and tackle extended wait times. Read more
Ophthalmic sector backs First Nations voice to parliament
The Fred Hollows Foundation, RANZCO and Australia’s first Aboriginal ophthalmologist Associate Professor Kris Rallah-Baker have formed an alliance to call for a First Nations Voice to Parliament to be enshrined in the Australian Constitution. Read more
Trachoma elimination deadline gets two-year extension
Australia has failed to meet its commitment to eliminate trachoma by 2020, setting a new deadline of 2022. Read more
Questions over funding as IRIS performs 500th cataract surgery
The Indigenous and Remote Eye Health Service (IRIS) has this week delivered on its two-year government contract to perform 500 cataract surgeries, as the organisation warns of the disastrous implications if the program loses funding. Read more
Roadmap falls short of 2020 target
Australia has missed its 2020 target to close the gap for vision for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders but has made significant inroads, a new report reveals. Read more
Optometry student spearheads efforts to attract Indigenous Australians into university education
A Deakin optometry student who pursued a career in healthcare after seeing her family’s health deteriorate to diabetes and eye disease is fronting a new campaign to inspire more Indigenous Australians into higher education. Read more
Gov report shows ‘substantial’ Indigenous eye health improvements
A new government report has shown that more Indigenous Australians are accessing eye health services than ever before, with significant strides reported in cataract surgery rates and the suppression of trachoma. Read more
Exorbitant prices in remote communities hinder trachoma efforts
Access to basic cleaning and hygiene products are essential in Australia’s efforts to eliminate trachoma in remote Indigenous communities, however residents in those areas can pay up to three times more for items such as towels and soap, an inquiry has heard. Read more