A new national initiative is set to transform support for Australians living with low vision, addressing the often-overlooked emotional and mental health challenges that accompany vision loss.
Launched by Guide Dogs NSW/ACT, SeeWay is a free, confidential service offering counselling, lifestyle guidance, and digital skills training to individuals and families affected by low vision.
Coinciding with World Sight Day on 9 October, SeeWay aims to bridge the gap between clinical care and the lived experience of vision impairment – particularly for the more than 70,000 Australians with permanent, moderate low vision who may not qualify for government-funded services.
Recent research by Guide Dogs Australia highlights a growing cohort of Australians aged 18 to 97 living independently with low vision. Many report giving up driving, struggling with digital technology, and feeling socially isolated. Despite the prevalence of depression and anxiety in this group, only one in five access rehabilitation services.
“Even after the best medical treatment, many patients are left with permanent low vision, and with this comes much uncertainty,” said Professor Andrew Chang, vitreoretinal surgeon and head of ophthalmology at Sydney Eye Hospital. “SeeWay helps them regain confidence and stay connected to friends and family by supporting them mentally and practically.”
SeeWay’s services are designed to complement the care provided by eyecare professionals and GPs, and include no-gap counselling via partner OnPsych (with GP referral), lifestyle guidance for mobility, safety, and independence, and digital skills training through workshops, one-on-one support, and on-demand tutorials. Training covers smartphone accessibility, online banking, shopping, and staying socially connected – critical tools for independence in today’s digital world.
SeeWay client Suzi shared her journey: “If you’re just given a brochure and sent home, then what? SeeWay met me where I was and gave me confidence. Even just becoming more comfortable with Facetime has made a huge difference – it’s keeping me connected.”
SeeWay is a national, online service developed by Guide Dogs NSW/ACT to support people with permanent changes in vision. It provides access to mental health counselling, digital literacy training, and tools for everyday independence. Eyecare professionals are encouraged to refer patients to SeeWay to ensure holistic support beyond the clinic.
Learn more or refer patients at: www.seeway.com.au
References
1. National Eye Health Survey (2016); Sight Loss Data Tool V4.2; Trends in Prevalence of Blindness and Distance and Near Vision Impairment Over 30 Years and Contribution to the Global Burden of Disease in 2020 (2020)
2. Guide Dogs Australia. Wellbeing & low vision: finding information & support [Internet]. Guide Dogs Australia; [cited 2025 Sep 1]. Available from: https://guidedogs.com.au/vision-resources/about-low-vision/wellbeing-support/
3. Alam K, et al. (2024). Access to low vision rehabilitation services in Australia: practitioner perspective. Clin Exp Optom. 108(4):504–510.
4. Guide Dogs Australia. Guide Dogs Australia 2023 survey research findings [Internet]. Melbourne: Guide Dogs Australia; 2023 Nov 6 [cited 2025 Sep 2]. Available from: https://guidedogs.com.au/news/guide-dogs-australia-2023-survey-research-findings/
5. World Health Organization. Blindness and vision impairment [Internet]. Geneva: WHO; [cited 2025 Sep 2]. Available from: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/blindness-and-visual-impairment
