Author: Lauren Freir

The NVRI is delighted to announce it has secured a three-year funding agreement with Victorian Lions Foundation.

The pledge of support is the latest in a long history between our two organisations, which first began in 1974 before the Lions Vision Research Fund was officially established in 1979. With the benefit of Lions’ funding over the past five decades, the NVRI has been positioned to pursue valuable research and contribute findings to the broader vision research field in Australia and internationally.

The new funding agreement follows a shift in our work towards translational, clinical research which aims to improve access and equity in eye care. This step in the NVRI’s research is closely aligned with the ethos and mission of the Australian College of Optometry (ACO), which the NVRI sits within. The ACO is focused on improving eye health outcomes through direct clinical services to underserved communities, as well as evidence-based professional development to optometrists across Australia and New Zealand.

Tim Fricke, Director of Research and Education shared, “The NVRI’s rich and diverse 51 years of achievements – in understanding amblyopia (lazy eye), vision measurement, vision rehabilitation, optic nerve structure, crystalline lens biochemistry, and visual neuroscience – would not have been possible without the support of the Victorian Lions Foundation and our other valued partners. With this latest investment, we’re looking forward to launching our new research program firmly focused on providing outcomes that will improve the lives of people with vision loss immediately and into the future.

We strongly believe that our research is critical to fairness and social cohesion, and that the pivot to public health research fits the current economic, social, civic, and political needs of the Australian community. With the generous support and trust from Lions, the NVRI is well positioned to develop vision research that will have direct public health impacts. Lions support is foundational to the development of our re-focused research program, but we also look forward to leveraging their support to expand funding avenues. The NVRI’s path ahead is exciting.”

The Royal Flying Doctor Service Victoria (RFDS Victoria) and the Australian College of Optometry (ACO) are celebrating ten years of the Flying Doctor Mobile Eye Care service. The partnership between the renowned medical service and the public health eye care organisation delivers comprehensive optometry services to remote and rural communities throughout Victoria, which would otherwise face significant barriers to care.

For many living in remote communities without fixed services, the time and cost of travelling hundreds of kilometers for optometry care is challenging. Despite the fact that more than 90% of vision impairment is preventable or treatable, missing regular eye health checks or treatment is too often a reality of rural living, and risks more serious future health concerns. Established by RFDS Victoria, the Mobile Eye Care service is an integral element in their mission to deliver preventative care to rural communities.

The mobile service liaises with community nurses to organise an optometrist visit, typically visiting two communities in a five-day trip. These consultations provide bulk-billed eye exams, referrals for advanced care and glasses, which are prepared at the ACO’s dispensing lab and dispatched by post. The cost of glasses is covered by the Victorian Eyecare Scheme (VES) with a modest contribution from the patient.

Over the decade-long partnership, the mobile service is estimated to have saved patients 5,032 hours of travel time. In a recent survey, 100% of patients reported that the service made it easier for them to access care and 90% reported they received care at no cost or at a more affordable cost.

“There is often an emphasis on hospital care and proximity to hospitals when discussing rural healthcare. The Flying Doctor is known for taking people to hospital, but we also know the importance of keeping people out of hospital by providing services that people can access in their own community; that’s where our primary health services step in,” said Dr Melanie Trivett, RFDS General Manager of Health.

She continued, “When we began development of rural services, eye care was immediately identified as a much-needed service and it was clear that the Australian College of Optometry was the right partner for this program. The ACO’s experience with their own diverse outreach programs meant they were uniquely positioned to support the challenges off-site remote consultations while providing uncompromising, comprehensive care.”

With 50 years of public health eye care experience, the ACO supports underserved Victorians to access quality, affordable eye care through its fixed clinics and outreach programs. General Manager of Outreach and Rural VES, Dr Josephine Li believes the Mobile Eye Care service is a lifeline for remote communities.

“For any patient, good eye health is closely linked to quality of life and independence, but this is amplified for residents of rural communities who heavily rely on driving. We know adults with vision impairment often have lower rates of workforce participation and it directly contributes to social isolation in older adults.”

One bush nurse shared, “We’ve got two gentlemen in town who have truck licenses to transport cattle. They need regular eye checks with VicRoads… For them, [the Mobile Eye Care service] is a vital service.”

Josephine continued, “Partnering with the RFDS to deliver our shared mission of equitable care has been hugely rewarding. The accessible intervention provided by this program including affordable glasses, appropriate treatment and pathways to advanced ophthalmology care, has a significant impact on eye health outcomes.”

The Australian College of Optometry (ACO) is proud to announce it has extended bulk billing to all eye examinations for children under the age of 18, with immediate effect from October 30. The public health eyecare provider hopes that the extension will remove any financial barrier to paediatric eyecare.

The change to billing includes all paediatric services including its Children’s Clinic and advanced Myopia and Binocular Vision clinics in Carlton, as well as services provided at the ACO’s seven satellite clinics throughout Melbourne. Established in response to the increasing rate of myopia, the ACO’s Myopia Clinic is the only public health clinic of its kind in Victoria.

The ACO has always been, and continues to be, at the forefront of excellence in paediatric eyecare. Led by optometrists with expert training in their field, the Children’s Clinic employs state-of-the-art equipment and techniques to assess each case. Treatment plans are always tailored to individuals based on the best evidence practice to achieve the optimal health outcome.

This dedication to clinical excellence is matched only by its commitment to public health optometry. The not-for-profit organisation feels strongly that cost should not deter families accessing the eyecare a child requires, including access to advanced care such as axial measurement available through the ACO’s Myopia Clinic. Many of the ACO’s services are heavily subsidised and provided at a lower cost, including myopia control options.

Zeinab Fakih, ACO Manager of Paediatric and Rehabilitation Services, played a significant role in securing the extension of bulk billing for all children aged under eighteen years.

She commented, “We are thrilled to be extending bulk billing to include all paediatric examinations at the ACO. We are very aware that risks to children’s eye health are increasing, particularly with the rising prevalence of myopia. Early intervention is essential to offer the best outcome for a child’s long-term eye health. Cost simply should not be a factor in whether a child can access eye care.”

Kylie Harris, ACO Director of Operations, said, “The decision to take this next step in removing financial concerns reflects the ethos of the ACO. We are committed to ensuring high quality, equitable eye care for everyone who needs it and as an organisation, we’ll always explore how to improve accessibility to our services.”

In addition to removing financial barriers, the ACO’s Children’s Clinic welcomes children with complex needs who may otherwise struggle to access care in other optometry settings. Equipped with highly trained optometrists, the public health paediatric clinic supports children with developmental or health conditions and special needs to access the care that they need.

Eye care professionals are reminded that referrals are not required to attend the ACO but are always welcome.

*For Medicare eligible consultations only*.