There are a number of reasons why Australians are facing issues accessing quality eyecare
in many parts of the country, which is why Specsavers is taking a number of approaches to ensure
it can deliver for those needing help.
Accessing quality, regular eyecare services remains a challenge for many Australians.
Geographical barriers mean regional towns and remote areas either lack permanent eyecare facilities or face a shortage of optometry professionals to meet community needs, leading to disparities in eye health outcomes for residents.
Fortunately, innovative telehealth solutions, mobile optometry career opportunities, and a focus on regional placements for Specsavers graduates are some of the things helping to bridge this gap and make primary optometry services more accessible to more people, no matter where they live.
A 2023 Deloitte Access Economics report, commissioned by Specsavers, highlighted the critical role optometrists play in delivering frontline eyecare to Australians and the need for investment in a pipeline of eye health services to prevent avoidable vision loss.
The report predicted a shortfall of more than 1,000 optometrists by 2042, with the country’s regional areas expected to be the hardest hit.
Without adequate optometry professionals in these areas, there is concern people will not be able to access the timely, routine eyecare that could detect and treat ocular conditions early and save their sight.
Supporting optometrist relocation
One way Specsavers is trying to address the inequity in accessible care in Australia is by offering graduate optometrists incentives to relocate to regional practices.
Specsavers graduate recruitment manager Ms Sarah Yearsley says many recent graduates are choosing to work outside metro areas. This is in part due to additional perks, but many are inspired by the prospect of being able to make a significant health impact within smaller communities.
“We’ve had 260 of our graduates over the past three years successfully placed in regional practices,” she says.
“These types of placements are an attractive option for early-career optometrists as they offer diverse clinical experiences and the opportunity to develop a broad skill set.
“Additionally, the cost of living is generally lower in regional areas, and the lifestyle is often more relaxed and community-oriented compared to metropolitan areas.”
Specsavers recruitment services manager Ms Madeleine Curran explains that it’s not just graduates who are eligible for relocation; as Australia’s largest optometry provider, Specsavers offers attractive packages to experienced optometry professionals willing to move to communities experiencing a skills shortage.
“We highlight the benefits of each unique regional community to ensure the optometrist knows what life could be like,” she says.
“We also support them with regular trips home or extra leave time to make sure they have a chance to reconnect often with family and friends.”
Specsavers says it is committed to ensuring its optometrists enjoy living and working within their local communities. While this is often the case, Curran acknowledges that long-term settlement can sometimes be a challenge.
“We do everything we can to support optometrists in relocating and integrating into their new communities. Ultimately, though, people thrive where they feel most at home and, as a result, we still have some permanent opportunities available in Australia’s more remote regions.”
One Specsavers optometrist who is thriving after moving to a regional practice is Mr Shuwen Yu.
He chose to relocate to a regional practice in Grafton, northern New South Wales, because of the unique sense of community, professional fulfilment and the chance to make a real difference in people’s lives.
“My goal before graduating optometry school was to start in a regional area.
“Throwing myself into the deep end allows me to quickly put what I learnt during my training into practice, which makes me a better clinician to care for my patients.”
Yu explains it’s common for people in regional areas to skip regular allied health appointments because of a lack of accessibility or perceived out-of-pocket cost. This can result in many patients in their 30s coming in with eye problems who have never had an eye test before.
“These patients think they are just bad at school because it is difficult to focus on the words on the paper or can’t see the whiteboard without squinting,” says Yu.
“Adult patients may develop binocular amblyopia and have never experienced clear vision.
“The most memorable experiences for me are the moments like when a 45-year-old -10.00 D myopic patient picked up his glasses for the first time and could suddenly see the world, or when a 12-year-old child who only read word-by-word could read whole sentences by wearing the trial frames.
“These are the real impacts that I can see from my work in regional areas.”
Yu believes people will be able to see better and ultimately live a better life when there are ample eye health services available in regional communities.
Of course, for optometrists who do decide to relocate, it can be a challenge to find practitioner cover so they can take annual leave.
Yu manages this within his own practice by co-ordinating with colleagues wherever possible.
Specsavers also employs trained mobile optometrists who travel to provide optometry cover and continuity of care for patients in regional areas.
Mobile optometrists for clinic coverage
Specsavers’ team of mobile optometrists is a movable workforce that travels to underserved communities lacking eye health services. Thanks to this support system, regional optometrists can take much-needed leave, helping to prevent burnout and maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
Mr An Cao, a Specsavers mobile optometrist, finds the diversity in his role fulfilling.
He services areas in all Australian states and territories, including Port Pirie, Whyalla, and Kadina in South Australia; Cairns, Sunshine Coast, Townsville, and Toowoomba in Queensland; Darwin and the Northern Territory; Wagga Wagga and Orange in New South Wales; and Northam in Western Australia.
Adaptability in this type of work is essential. As Cao explains, each location has a different practice environment and patient demographic. Without easy access to healthcare, routine appointments may not be a top priority for regionally based patients, and they often have a higher frequency of pathology.
“I’ve had patients who have gone years without an eye exam, and seeing the impact of providing them with clear vision with glasses or identifying serious eye conditions gives me a deep sense of satisfaction,” he says. “Knowing that I am helping prevent vision loss or improving quality of life is very rewarding.”
Cao believes there will always be a need for mobile optometry, which he predicts will continue to grow as more emphasis is placed on reaching more remote communities, driven by technological innovation, expanded services, and a focus on better integration with local healthcare systems.
Technology enabling Remote Eye Care
In addition to mobile services and regional graduate placements, the evolution of telehealth represents an innovative answer to overcoming geographic barriers to eyecare.
Remote Eye Care, currently piloted by Specsavers, uses technology to bring optometry expertise to underserviced locations.
Optometrists provide comprehensive eye tests, including diagnostic and clinical tests via video conferencing.
The model reverses telehealth definitions, with the patient attending their local optometry practice and the practitioner delivering the clinical services from another location, eliminating the need for patients to travel long distances.
Ms Jeena Tan, Specsavers ANZ head of clinical systems, says Remote Eye Care is a viable, comprehensive sight test service that can be part of the solution to addressing the current and future shortage of healthcare professionals in remote and regional areas.
“While in-person consultations will always be a part of optometric care, Remote Eye Care has an opportunity to be transformative for people living in regional and rural areas, allowing them to access high-quality, routine eyecare appointments more often,” says Tan.
It is clear that a variety of solutions are required to meet the future eyecare needs of Australians.
More optometrists considering relocating to regional towns, a flexible workforce of mobile optometrists, and optometry technology will all be essential elements in ensuring Australians have access to the equitable eyecare they deserve.
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