New look for Indigenous eye clinic in NSW

November 6, 2024

By PETER ROWE

Critical eye assessments can now be provided to patients living in regional and remote areas of NSW as a result of new technology.

The new clinic, based at Sydney Eye Hospital, has already made a significant difference to the eye health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people all over the State.

The new retinal cameras enable specialists at the clinic to conduct eye checks at Moree without the need of an on-site specialist, potentially benefitting thousands of people. Work to expand the network to Tamworth is underway.

“We know that Aboriginal people are three times more likely to suffer from visual impairments than non-Aboriginal Australians,” Heath Minister Minister Ryan Park said.

“They are also four times more likely to have diabetic eye disease and 12 times more likely to have a blinding cataract.”

More than 90,000 patients have already been seen for corneal, retinal and general eye treatment since the clinic, originally known as the Bicentennial Eye Clinic, was set up in 2014.

The retinal cameras will be easily used by GPs and nurses in the outreach centres, making it possible for the team based at the Sydney clinic to diagnose and provide a treatment plan for eye issues detected in a rural or regionally based patient.

Access to this service will support Aboriginal people, no matter where they live, to have the same access to services, without needing to leave their community. They can have peace of mind knowing their ongoing care is provided in partnership with local healthcare providers. This virtual service will begin in 2025.

Patients treated in person at the Macquarie Street clinic will have a welcoming, culturally safe space that includes artwork by Aboriginal artist and Yuin man, Billy Reynolds. The hospital grounds have also been transformed with guardian stones and Australian native plants.

“It’s estimated 35 per cent of Aboriginal adults have never had an eye examination and when a condition or disease is diagnosed, they are waiting longer for surgery accounting for 11 per cent of the health gap, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty, David Harris said.

“According to National Eye Health report, 94 per cent of vision impairment or blindness experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples is preventable or treatable.

“Closing the gap to improve health outcomes for Aboriginal people and to do so in a culturally safe and appropriate way is a top priority of the Minns Labor Government and the Gadigal Eye Clinic is a perfect example of this.”

The name of the clinic acknowledges the Gadigal people, the original custodians of the land around Sydney’s central business district.

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