News

Centre for Eye Health (CFEH) has now assisted more than 5,000 ordinary Australians and almost 500 eye-care practitioners through its advanced ocular imaging services provided at no charge.

To see what both patients and referring optometrists think of the service they have received from CFEH, the Centre conducted two surveys at the end of 2010.

Findings from a survey of 312 optometrists who regularly refer patients at-risk or suspected of eye disease for advanced imaging, showed that the vast majority agreed that CFEH:

• is a useful resource;

• is responsive to individual needs; and

• provides high quality reports that are easy to understand.

In a separate survey of 650 patients, satisfaction was exceptionally high with 80% rating the service as excellent and an additional 17% as above average. This survey also revealed that following their consultation at CFEH:

• 12% were diagnosed with an eye disease;

• 15% were on-referred to another health-care practitioner;

• 33% required a follow-up examination to monitor any changes of concern.

For many of these people, assessment at CFEH has allowed them to commence treatment sooner than they may otherwise have, therefore improving their chance of preserving vision.

The Optometrists Association of Australia (OAA) NSW/ACT is a keen supporter of this new model of integrated eye-health delivery, and encourages all optometrists to incorporate the services offered at CFEH within their own practice. The experience of the last year has shown that this will greatly improve outcomes for patients as well as enhance reputation and build practices.

Importantly, more than 70% of patients assessed at CFEH live outside of inner Sydney, proving that people are willing to travel to access the best in diagnostic services, particularly when provided at no charge.

According to Andrew McKinnon, CEO of OAA NSW/ACT "If you haven’t already taken advantage of this great service for optometrists I urge you to do so this year".