Optometrists and eye health in rural Australia (2011)

Description

This factsheet covers the topics of:

• eye health needs in Australia
• delivery of eye care in rural Australia
• emerging issues for rural optometry
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health
• the future.

Eye health is one of the most common health problems in Australia. The most common causes of visual impairment and blindness are presbyopia, refractive error, cataract, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and age related macular degeneration.

Optometrists are important to the delivery of eye care for people living in rural and remote areas of Australia. Maintaining staff in rural locations can be difficult and the Australian Government is providing greater assistance for rural eye care programs. Optometrists visit rural and remote locations which do not have their own optometry services.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have an increased risk of preventable blindness compared to the rest of the population. Optometrists partner with local Aboriginal medical services and Aboriginal controlled health organisations to facilitate better eye health care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Abstract adapted from Optometrists Association Australia

Contact details

Optometrists Association Australia
204 Drummond St
Carlton Vic 3053
PO Box 185
Carlton South Vic 3053
Ph: (03) 9668 8500
Fax: (03) 9663 7478
Email: oaanat@optometrists.asn.au

Links

• View resource: Optometrists and eye health in rural Australia (PDF - 1.5 MB)
• View website: Optometrists' Association Australia

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