Introduction
The My Eye Health Program is an initiative of four of South Australia’s leading organisations, with the vision of establishing a community education program around the issues of eye health, intervention and rehabilitation. The Royal Society for the Blind, the Freemasons Foundation, the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmology (South Australia Branch) and the Sight for All Foundation joined together to make this education dream a reality.
The My Eye Health Program is an important eye health initiative for the community as it draws on a combination of expertise and manpower, enabling extensive reach into both regional and isolated areas of South Australia and the Northern Territory.
The aim of the
My Eye Health Program is to educate and create awareness of:
- Eye health and prevention of vision loss
- Eye care services available
- Referral pathways
- Skills transfer to the allied health sector and local government
- Management and rehabilitation strategies for chronic vision loss
Vision loss affects more than 500,000 Australians. It is anticipated that in the next 10 years, vision loss is going to increase by almost 25%. But, vision loss can be prevented or treated and early detection can protect your remaining vision.
The My Eye Health Program will enable and encourage individuals to be proactive in managing their eye health. This includes having regular eye tests with an eye care professional, seeing someone as soon as vision loss is noticed and leading a healthy lifestyle.
The RSB is currently providing services to almost 12,000 South Australians. These services aim to increase independence, quality of life and community participation. These services may be available to you.
What are the major causes of vision loss?
The most common causes of blindness and vision loss in Australia are those related to ageing. The most common eye diseases, in order, are:
Cataract
Macular Degeneration
Diabetic Retinopathy
Glaucoma
Who is the program aimed at?
The Program is aimed at everyone within the community; however specific presentations have been developed for key community groups-
- General Practitioners
- Allied Health
- Aged Care Facilities- residents and staff
- High School Students
- General public
For further information, please visit the My Eye Health Program website, www.myeyehealth.org.au