Sasha Kairouz and Kristina Iacovangelo on the value of outreach work, not only to the community but also to building trust and business.
As members of the Vision Eye Institute (VEI) Clinical Relationship Team (CRT), we spend much of our time building connections between ophthalmologists and referrers and, increasingly, between eye health educators and the people who need it most.
Our partnership with Sight For All (SFA) has given us the opportunity to step outside the clinic and into community spaces, where education can be delivered in a way that is accessible, inclusive, and immediately impactful.
Community outreach matters because preventable vision loss is still far too common.
Many eye conditions can be treated or managed successfully when they are detected early, yet awareness of eye health and access to information varies widely across communities.
Language barriers, cultural differences, confidence in navigating the health system, and simple lack of information can all delay care. Taking education into community settings helps remove these barriers by meeting people where they already feel comfortable.
Through the Community Eye Health Education Program, the CRT and VEI ophthalmologists deliver free, evidence-based education sessions across key metro areas in Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, and Brisbane.
These sessions are tailored to the needs of each group, supported by interpreters where required, and designed to encourage conversation rather than passive learning.
One of the most powerful aspects of this work is seeing how different communities engage when education is delivered in the right way.
In Box Hill, Victoria, we worked with a Chinese social group made up largely of older adults with limited English proficiency.
With the support of an interpreter, Mandarin language resources and multilingual Dr Sky Chew, the session became highly interactive.
Participants asked thoughtful questions, engaged with the content, and left with a clearer understanding of common eye conditions and the importance of ongoing eyecare.
Feedback showed that participants felt more informed and more motivated to attend regular eye examinations.
In NSW, we presented to two very different community groups; the Willoughby Community Men’s Shed in Northbridge and Sylvania VIEW Club, a women’s community group.
At the men’s shed, the smaller, informal setting created a comfortable space for open and honest conversations about eye health.
Sharing morning tea and engaging with participants in their own environment helped build trust and encouraged discussions that may not have emerged in a larger or more formal setting, particularly among male attendees.
In contrast, the Sylvania VIEW Club welcomed Dr Tess Huynh to speak at their monthly meeting, which blends club business, education and social connection over lunch.
Many of the women were also involved in other community groups, reinforcing that meaningful education continues well beyond the presentation itself; through conversation, connection and community networks.
What these sessions consistently show us is that education works best when it is respectful, relevant, and responsive.
The partnership between VEI and SFA is critical to achieving this.
SFA brings deep expertise in community eye health education and evaluation, while VEI contributes clinical knowledge, local insight, and strong relationships within the Australian eye health landscape.
We are particularly encouraged by the feedback collected from participants.
Many report increased understanding of eye health, greater awareness of how to reduce the risk of vision loss, and stronger motivation to seek regular eye examinations. For us, this feedback is more than data, it is evidence that community-based education can drive real change.
Just as importantly, the program creates opportunities for learning on our side as well.
Each session provides insights into what communities value, what information resonates most, and how future education can be improved.
This ongoing feedback loop ensures the program continues to evolve and respond to community needs. We know there are many community groups who would benefit from this type of education – seniors’ groups, cultural associations, men’s sheds, carers’ networks, and social clubs, to name a few.
If you are aware of a community group that could benefit from an eye health education session, please get in touch with us by emailing sharedvision@vei.com.au.
About the authors: Sasha Kairouz and Kristina Iacovangelo are members of the Clinical Relationship Team at Vision Eye Institute.
