News

Previous News Items

Ground-breaking new initiative to target preventable blindness
July 1, 2009

With more than half of all Australians reporting eyesight problems as a long term medical condition* and reports that vision impairment costs the Australian community more than $9.85 billion each year**, a new, $40 million initiative of Guide Dogs NSW/ACT and The University of New South Wales (UNSW) is aiming to reduce preventable blindness.

Centre for Eye Health (CFEH) is a new facility that will provide specialist eye testing services to the general community at no charge from August 2009. Through the earlier detection of eye diseases such as macular degeneration, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy, the Centre aims to address the increasing incidence of vision impairment in Australia.

Located at UNSW's Kensington campus in Sydney's east, CFEH is unique in that it provides referred clients with free access to a complete range of state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment in one location. Staffed by both optometrists and consultant ophthalmologists, the Centre represents the ultimate in integrated care and will bring new efficiencies to the diagnosis, treatment and ongoing management of vision disorders throughout New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory.

Prominent vision researcher Professor Michael Kalloniatis is the inaugural director of CFEH and will be responsible for the Centre's ongoing management. He is excited to be at the helm of the ground-breaking initiative.

"At a time when the Federal Government is actively raising awareness of the importance of regular eye tests amongst working-age Australians, Centre For Eye Health will transform the provision of advanced ocular imaging services in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory," said Professor Kalloniatis.

"Vision impairment comes at an enormous cost to the Australian community, yet 75 per cent of the conditions causing irreversible vision loss are due to eye disease; which can be managed and treated if detected early. Half of all vision impairment is correctable and one quarter is preventable if diagnosed and managed early. It is therefore vital that the broader community has access to equipment with the ability to identify many conditions before they make their irreversible impact."

Importantly, CFEH signals a new direction for Guide Dogs NSW/ACT. Over the next 10 years, the charity will spend $40 million in establishing the centre and funding its operations.

"Guide Dogs NSW/ACT chose to take this unique approach after consuting with its clients. They indicated their support for the expansion of our services into the area of prevention, in addition to the mobility and orientation services we have always offered," said CFEH and Guide Dogs NSW/ACT Chairman, Mr Barry Stephen.

"With the establishment of this Centre, we are making a significant investment in reducing the incidence of preventable blindness in the community. Economic circumstance should be no barrier to accessing the best eye testing and diagnostic services available."

The services offered by the CFEH are designed to complement existing services provided by optometrists, ophthalmologists and general practitioners. In the first instance, members of the public are encouraged to approach their optometrist or general practitioner with regards to any eye health concerns. If further specialist testing is sought, they can then be referred to the CFEH.

* 2004-2005 Australian National Health Survey, prepared by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (2006)

** In 2004, the total cost of vision disorder in Australia was estimated at A$9.85 billion. With Australia's ageing demography, this figure was forecast to rise. Clear Insight - The Economic Impact and Cost of Vision Loss in Australia, prepared by Access Economics Pty Ltd for Eye Research Australia (2004)

Navigation


Eye-care practitioners register here

Refer to the Centre