News

More than seven hundred optometrists and 30 ophthalmologists have registered with Centre for Eye Health (CFEH) and referred close to 2,000 patients for testing since the Centre's official opening late last year.

Around half of NSW and ACT-based optometrists have registered with the Centre and currently account for most (96 per cent) of referrals to this new state of the art eye testing and diagnostic service.

CFEH provides an integrated approach to reducing preventable vision loss from eye disease through early detection. It is the world’s first referral facility providing an extensive range of imaging and visual assessment services in one location and at no charge to the patient or Medicare.

“This means that in addition to around half of NSW and ACT-based optometrists now benefiting from additional advice and information to provide better patient care, hundreds of people have been able to access advanced eye imaging and visual assessment services who otherwise wouldn’t be able to afford to,” says Centre Director, Professor Michael Kalloniatis.

The Centre for Eye Health scored high marks for service, staff expertise and state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment, according to a recent survey of optometrists, suggesting the new service is well placed to support improvements in eye disease detection and management within the profession.

Completed by 313 optometrists from across NSW and the ACT, the online survey revealed that nearly all those surveyed (97 per cent) were aware of CFEH and two-thirds (67 per cent) had registered to use the free referral service since the Centre opened in late 2009.

More than one-third of optometrists based in NSW and the ACT are referring patients to the Centre with almost all respondents (98 per cent) saying it provides an excellent or above average service.

Over 90 per cent said they value the Centre’s large range of testing equipment, its staff expertise, free service and the availability of consultant ophthalmologists to review test results.

Prof. Kalloniatis said he was pleased with the high level of awareness about the Centre and positive perceptions of its standard of service: “The survey reveals that a large majority of optometrists know about CFEH and the appropriate types of patients to refer to us as well as value what we offer.”

To access CFEH's services, individuals must be referred by an optometrist or ophthalmologist who is registered with the Centre. The referring practitioner specifies the required tests and results are then sent back to the referring practitioner. Patient management remains with the referring practitioner and the Centre does not initiate, carry out or suggest treatment for patients.