Eye health education resource kit: I see for culture (2009)

Description

The I see for culture eye health education resources were developed by the Brien Holden Vision Institute, Public Health Division (formerly ICEE, International Centre for Eyecare Education), via funding from the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing. Designed specifically for use with adults in rural and remote Indigenous health contexts, they are primarily image-based. The complete kits contain the following components:

• flipcharts x 2
• posters x 2
• model eye
• simulator masks (cataract and diabetic retinopathy)
• information booklet.

The flipcharts image-based content and narrative style wording allow health workers to better explain and educate their patients about eye and vision disorders. Although an ideal size for one-on-one use, they could also be used with a small group of patients. Further information on how to use the flipcharts is contained in the information booklet.

There are two flipcharts:

• Book 1 All about eyes is a general overview about parts of the eye, how to look after the eyes, what happens during an eye exam, about wearing spectacles, and low vision rehabilitation.
• Book 2 Trachoma, cataract, diabetes and your eyes has information about cause, prevention and treatment of these three conditions, which are commonly seen in Indigenous communities. Information was incorporated into a story, to present a more real-life scenario, thereby enhancing relevance of the message.

Two different posters have been designed to be displayed in community health centres, to promote the importance of everyone having a regular eye exam. Mark Ella, first Indigenous captain of the Wallabies rugby union team, is the Ambassador for the I See for Culture campaign and Mark's photo is on the eye health awareness posters:

• Poster 1: Get your eyes checked! (landscape)
• Poster 2: Look after your eyes - get them checked (portrait)

With funding from the Department of Health and Ageing, the Brien Holden Vision Institute has distributed these kits at no cost to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health organisations, clinics, and registered training organisations. To order your kit, please email your expression of interest, along with your organisation's contact details (postal details, phone, fax) to the contact person listed below.

Abstract adapted from the Brien Holden Vision Institute

Contact details

Amy Nicholls
Brien Holden Vision Institute
Email: a.nicholls@brienholdenvision.org

Links

• View resource: Flip Chart 1 - All about eyes (PDF - 12.3 MB)
• View resource: Flip Chart 2 - TCD and your eyes (PDF - 25.3 MB)
• View resource: I see for culture landscape poster (PDF - 483.0 KB)
• View resource: I see for culture portrait poster (PDF - 549.5 KB)
• View information: Order form for eye masks: Vision Australia
• View information: Eye health education resource kit (PDF - 1.6 MB)
• View website: Brien Holden Vision Institute (formerly ICEE)

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