Hundreds of Optometry Australia (OA) members have written to their federal representatives and sent thousands of emails in response to the organisation’s campaign for reinstatement of biennial Medicare rebates for comprehensive eye exams for all Australians under 65.
In a statement, OA said: “Optometry’s collective voice is powerful, and our campaign has momentum.
“Since asking you to join in our advocacy push in early February, over 375 members have written to their federal representatives, sending over 5200 emails and contacting over 90% of all federal parliamentarians.”
Budget changes in the 2014 Federal Budget meant subsidised exams every two years were scrapped and are now done every three years.
OA says that has meant fewer Australians having access to comprehensive eye exams.
“We foresaw a drop in the number of Australians in this age group accessing primary eyecare – and data shows that we were right,” it said when it launched its advocacy campaign.
Analysis of the use of the subsidy – MBS Item 10910 – shows that per capita initial comprehensive eye examinations nationally fell from 8,898 services per 100,000 population in 2017-18 to 7,284 in 2023-24, an 18.1% reduction nationally for people aged under 65 years.
“You have highlighted to key decision-makers that this change is necessary, and will positively impact both patient care and the profession,” OA said earlier this week.
“Optometry Australia continues to call on both the Minister for Health, the Hon Mark Butler MP, and the Shadow Minister for Health, Senator the Hon Anne Ruston, to formally respond to our campaign, committing to addressing this issue as a priority in the next term of government.”
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