People of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander background may be more at risk of developing an eye condition.
The prevalence of vision impairment and blindness among Indigenous Australians is three times that of non-Indigenous Australians.
High rates of smoking and diabetes among Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Island people means they are more at risk of developing cataracts and diabetic retinopathy. In addition, Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people may also be less likely to regularly see or have access to a GP or eye health professional.
The good news is that approximately 90 per cent of vision impairment and blindness among Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people is preventable or treatable, if detected early.
It is important that people of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent have regular eye tests with an eye health professional. Patients with diabetes should have an eye test once a year or as recommended by your eye health professional.
The Victorian Aboriginal Subsidised Spectacles Scheme (VASSS) is a low cost spectacle scheme available for people who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander in Victoria through participating optometrists. For more information, visit the website of the Australian College of Optometry.
Save Your Sight – Get Tested
For more information
Download the resources below:
Patchy vision? Diabetes and your eyes (PDF)
Blurry vision? Refractive error (PDF)
$10 glasses for the community (PDF)
Visit the following websites:
Indigenous Eye Health Unit (Melbourne University)
Roadmap to Close the Gap for Vision Health
Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO)