Vision Initiative sets sights on at-risk Victorians

During the launch in Dandenong Ms Hennessy said the Vision Initiative would be rolled out to a further four Victorian local government areas following the success of the Vision Initiative Pilot Projects in 2012-2015.
According to the most recent Victorian Population Health Survey, Brimbank, Greater Dandenong, Swan Hill and Campaspe had high proportions of people who had never had an eye examination and were less likely to have regular eye tests, placing their sight at increased risk.
Ms Hennessy said she is “delighted” the program was extending to new areas, as it would encourage more Victorians to get their eyes tested and save their sight.
Vision 2020 Australia chief executive officer, Ms Jennifer Gersbeck said: “We are thrilled to announce these new project areas, and look forward to working with the local community and primary health providers to educate and power Victorians to give priority to their eye health.
“I am confident we will see continued success within the new targeted communities by linking people who are at risk of vision loss with local eye health services.”
The Vision Initiative aims to prevent avoidable blindness and vision loss through working with health providers in local areas to create better identification and referral of people at risk of eye disease.
“A better educated and informed health workforce can help achieve improved patient outcomes. With our ageing population, eye health needs to be a health priority for all Victorians,” Ms Gersbeck said.
Local media campaigns will complent community and health provider activity to raise awareness of the importance of having regular eye tests to reduce avoidable blindness and vision loss.
The Vision Initiative is an integrated health promotion program funded by the Victoria government and managed by Vision 2020 Australia. It aims to prevent avoidable blindness and vision loss in Victoria.