Restoring Sight in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities

94% of vision loss for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults is preventable or treatable. However, when 35% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults have never had an eye exam. There's still a lot of work to do.

'Close the Gap' - What is the Eye Health Gap?

When it comes to eye health, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults are:

• 3 times more likely than other Australians to go blind.
• 12 times more likely to have blinding cataracts than other Australians.
• 4 times more likely to wait for more than a year for eye surgery compared to other Australians.

The Indigenous Australia Program

The Fred Hollows Foundation's Indigenous Australia Program supports increased investment in and access to culturally-appropriate eye care services to remote and underserved Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. More specifically, The Fred Hollows Foundation is working to:

• Deliver surgery and medical treatment for cataract, diabetic retinopathy and the elimination of trachoma.
• Increase access to services for patients in remote communities.
• Coordinate and improve outreach services so everyone who needs medical care gets it.
• Provide training and support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health staff.

The Fred Hollows Foundation & Blackwoods Partnership