Restore eye checks to save sight

AS a local community optometrist I play an important role in preventing, detecting and treating eye disease and vision problems. The 2015 cuts to the Medicare patient rebate and a freeze on indexing Medicare rebates pose a threat to patient access and ultimately the health of our population’s eyes. The 2014-15 budget made changes to the frequency at which a patient with no new eye health symptoms or eye disease is eligible for a Medicare rebate for a comprehensive eye examination. They extended the time from two years to three years for patients under 65. The prevalence of most preventable eye conditions increases dramatically beyond 40.

Without routine eye examination many diseases such as glaucoma may go undiagnosed while in the asymptomatic stages. The peak professional optometry body recommends a comprehensive eye exam every two years for middle-aged patients, regardless if they have obvious symptoms of eye or vision problems. Reinstatement of a biennial comprehensive optometric examination for all people aged 40 to 64 is badly needed.

When we consider 90 per cent of vision impairment is preventable or treatable if detected in the early stages it becomes clear that early detection measures are beneficial to the patient and the community. As a nation we need to not be shortsighted and instead look toward building a sustainable future for every facet of our healthcare system.