Since CFEH's official launch last November, a growing number of eye-health practitioners have registered to refer patients to the facility, which offers its services free of charge.

The Centre's 100th client was Robyn, who is from the Sydney suburb of Botany. Robyn was referred to the Centre for further testing after visiting the optometry clinic within the School of Optometry and Vision Science at The University of New South Wales.

"The staff here are friendly and helpful, and I think it's great that I'm getting the best possible eye tests at no cost to me or my optometrist," Robyn says.

CFEH is an initiative of Guide Dogs NSW/ACT and The University of New South Wales. It aims to reduce preventable blindness through early detection of eye diseases such as glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration.

Services offered by CFEH are available to residents of NSW and the ACT who have been referred by a registered eye-health practitioner.

If you're a practitioner and you'd like to register, please click here.

A joint initiative of The University of New South Wales and Guide Dogs NSW/ACT, CFEH aims reduce the incidence of blindness through early detection of eye diseases such as macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma.

The Centre was officially launched by Governor of NSW, Professor Marie Bashir AC CVO. Master of Ceremonies was former Australian test cricketer, Geoff Lawson OAM, who trained as an optometrist at the university.

Other speakers at the event included CFEH Director, Professor Michael Kalloniatis; Guide Dogs NSW/ACT President, Mr Barry Stephen; and the university's Vice-Chancellor, Professor Fred Hilmer AO.

Professor Kalloniatis noted in his address that for every client who is identified early and receives suitable treatment options from their health-care provider, the estimated saving to the Australian community is over $10,000 per annum.

 "The impact is not only felt at the personal front, but also on the financial front," Professor Kalloniatis said.

The Centre is now operational and has seen its first clients. When it is at full capacity, CFEH will be able to service 27,000 clients per year.

The services provided by CFEH are free of charge to residents of NSW and the ACT and their referring practitioner.

All individuals seen at CFEH must be referred by their health-care practitioner, such as an optometrist, ophthalmologist or GP, using the Centre's referral system.

Centre for Eye Health will provide state-ofthe-art eye imaging and diagnostic services to the community, at no charge. The aim of the Centre is to reduce the incidence of blindness through early detection of eye diseases such as macular degeneration,glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy.

Located at the Kensington campus of the University of New South Wales, the Centre - a joint initiative of Guide Dogs NSW/ACT and UNSW - will host the event.

To find out more about how CFEH will improve eye-health in the community, click here.

For more information, click here to contact CFEH.

The centre, which opens officially on 4 November, is an initiative of Guide Dogs NSW/ACT and The University of New South Wales (UNSW) and aims to reduce preventable blindness through the early detection of eye diseases such as macular degeneration, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy.

Professor Michael Kalloniatis, the inaugural director of CFEH, provided an overview of the purpose and vision for the centre, before Professor Algis Vingrys and Professor Charles McGhee conducted scheduled lectures on: the future of imaging and functional assays, and the relationship and interaction between imaging modalities and corneal disease.

RANZCO President, Dr Iain Dunlop, and Deputy Chair of OAA, Mr Michael Knipe were also present on the night to welcome audience members and extend their formal congratulations to the board of CFEH.

In his address to the audience Mr Knipe said "It's easy to be supportive of the centre because we have shared values".

Dr Iain Dunlop, congratulated the CFEH Board on the appointment of Professor Kalloniatis and went on to state, "[Professor Kalloniatis] you've got a considerable challenge ahead, a great responsibility and a great privilege".

CFEH is unique in that it provides referred individuals with free access to a complete range of state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment in one location.

Staffed by both optometrists and consulting ophthalmologists, the centre represents the ultimate in integrated care and will bring new efficiencies to the diagnosis of eye disease throughout New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory.

The services offered by CFEH are designed to complement existing services provided by optometrists, ophthalmologists and general practitioners.

For further information, interviews and images please contact:
Natasha Webb 0413 753 241 or nwebb@guidedogs.com.au

Offical media release: Download PDF (292KB)

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)

Professor Kalloniatis was the Robert G Leitl Chair and Head of the Department of Optometry and Vision Science (DOVS) at the University of Auckland. During his seven years with the university, he saw the department double its student numbers, introduce under-graduate and post-graduate therapeutic training and establish a strong research base through the attraction of competitive research grants.

In collaboration with the Department of Ophthalmology, Professor Kalloniatis was also instrumental in setting up the New Zealand National Eye Centre, which opened during 2008. Like that facility, Centre for Eye Health will undertake research and aims to eliminate preventable blindness and reduce vision impairment.

"Centre for Eye Health is an exciting initiative that will transform the provision of ocular imaging services in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory," says Professor Kalloniatis.

"Vision impairment comes at an enormous cost to the Australian community*, yet half of 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 advanced eye-testing equipment with the ability to identify many conditions - such as glaucoma, macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy - before they make their impact."

Announcing Professor Kalloniatis' appointment, CfEH and Guide Dogs NSW/ACT Chairman, Mr Barry Stephen said, "We are pleased to have attracted such a high-quality candidate for this new position. Michael's work in ophthalmic academia, practice and research means he has the necessary experience to direct this world-class centre, which will provide an enormous service to the community in reducing preventable blindness.

"Guide Dogs NSW/ACT chose to take this unique approach after consulting with its clients. They indicated their support for the expansion of our services into the area of prevention, as well as the mobility and orientation services we have traditionally offered."

Targeting people who already have impaired vision and those with eye conditions that could lead to vision impairment, CfEH expects to service thousands of patients annually. From July 2009, these people can be referred to the centre by their general practitioner or eye-care practitioner.

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

When established, the Guide Dogs Vision Centre at UNSW is expected to see up to 40,000 clients annually.

The free of charge services will target vision-impaired people in NSW & the ACT, and those with eye conditions that could lead to vision impairment, such as glaucoma, macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy.

The new Centre, expected to be in operation by late 2008, will be based in the School of Optometry and Vision Science at the University's main campus in Kensington. Guide Dogs NSW/ACT will contribute $40m to the Centre's establishment and operation over a 10-year period.

"This is a remarkable and generous contribution by Guide Dogs NSW/ACT to the community," says UNSW Vice-Chancellor, Professor Fred Hilmer. "The Centre will be a hub for research, the early diagnosis of conditions that can cause vision impairment, and the management and treatment of vision-impairment. It will also provide teaching and clinical experience for students and those working in this very important area."

Guide Dogs NSW/ACT Chief Executive, Mr Joseph Finucane says: "It is fitting that this organisation should take such a far reaching initiative, in its 50th year. We are unaware of any centre in the world that offers state of the art equipment of this calibre, in one location, at no cost to the community.

"We chose to take this unique approach after consulting with our 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 traditionally offered. We are delighted to be working with UNSW on a venture of such benefit to the community," Mr Finucane says.

The Guide Dogs Vision Centre at UNSW will offer clients integrated diagnostic, monitoring and management services, with all costs paid for by Guide Dogs NSW/ACT. People are likely to be referred to the Centre by GPs and eye care practitioners.

The new Centre will also provide top-level teaching services for undergraduate and postgraduate students from a wide range of disciplines. It will have close links with nearby specialist clinical and research services.

About 100,000 people in NSW are vision impaired, including people who are blind and those whose vision is worse than the current driving standard in NSW. As many as 400,000 have eye conditions that could lead to vision impairment.

Media contacts: UNSW media, Dan Gaffney, 0411 156 015. Guide Dogs NSW/ACT, Manisha Amin, 0425 286 404