A new eye clinic aims to make a significant impact in transforming eyecare for Aboriginal communities in Western Australia.
A media release from the University of Western Australia (UWA) said the clinic was part of an ongoing effort to close the gap in eye health outcomes for Aboriginal people, by addressing high rates of preventable eye diseases, offering culturally safe care and providing a platform for training future healthcare professionals.
The clinic at South West Aboriginal Medical Services (SWAMS) in Bunbury is supported by a partnership between the university, Edith Cowan University, University Department of Rural Health South West, Zeiss and the Fred Hollows Foundation.
The release said the collaborative initiative brings essential eye care services to local Indigenous populations, with a focus on culturally safe healthcare practices and community-driven models of care.
Associate Professor Khyber Alam from UWA’s School of Allied Health said eye health was a critical yet often overlooked aspect of public health, particularly in indigenous communities, where the prevalence of preventable and treatable eye diseases was alarmingly high.
“Conditions such as cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, and trachoma are disproportionately prevalent among Aboriginal people, often due to factors like limited access to healthcare, low health literacy, and cultural barriers,” A/Prof Alam said.
Research has shown that while these eye conditions are largely preventable and treatable, they remain significant contributors to vision impairment and blindness in indigenous populations.
It is estimated that more than 90 per cent of vision loss in Aboriginal communities is preventable or treatable with timely intervention.
Yet, many communities continue to face barriers such as a lack of local eye care services, limited access to specialised services, and socio-economic factors that prevent individuals from seeking necessary treatment.
The new clinic aims to address these issues by providing treatment and education to communities in need, in a way that respects and understands the cultural needs of Aboriginal people, the release said.
“Culturally safe care is key to improving health outcomes,” A/Prof Alam said.
“It’s about creating an environment where Aboriginal patients feel respected, heard and empowered to make decisions about their own health.
“There is a long history of Aboriginal people being excluded from healthcare systems or experiencing discrimination when seeking care.
“This has contributed to a deep mistrust of mainstream services. This clinic, and our partnership with SWAMS, is an important step towards rebuilding that trust.
“By ensuring that healthcare is provided by Aboriginal health professionals and in a way that respects cultural differences, we hope to offer a solution that truly works for the community.”
The new clinic will also provide a permanent clinical placement site for UWA Doctor of Optometry students, who will have the opportunity to gain invaluable hands-on clinical experience in providing culturally safe eye care, while learning directly from highly skilled clinician academics.
The clinic’s research focus will centre on addressing the unique eye health challenges faced by Indigenous communities, ensuring that the findings and innovations are directly relevant to the people who need them the most.
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