A new eye clinic aims to make a significant impact in transforming eye care for Aboriginal communities in the State’s South West.
By addressing high rates of preventable eye diseases, offering culturally safe care and providing a platform for training future healthcare professionals, the clinic is part of an ongoing effort to close the gap in eye health outcomes for Aboriginal people.
The clinic at South West Aboriginal Medical Services (SWAMS) in Bunbury is supported by a partnership between The University of Western Australia, Edith Cowan University, University Department of Rural Health South West, Zeiss and the Fred Hollows Foundation.
The collaborative initiative brings essential eye care services to local Indigenous populations, with a focus on culturally safe healthcare practices and community-driven models of care.
Associate Professor Khyber Alam from UWA’s School of Allied Health said eye health was a critical yet often overlooked aspect of public health, particularly in Indigenous communities, where the prevalence of preventable and treatable eye diseases was alarmingly high.
“Conditions such as cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, and trachoma are disproportionately prevalent among Aboriginal people, often due to factors like limited access to healthcare, low health literacy, and cultural barriers, Associate Professor Alam said.
Research has shown that while these eye conditions are largely preventable and treatable, they remain significant contributors to vision impairment and blindness in Indigenous populations.
It is estimated that more than 90 per cent of vision loss in Aboriginal communities is preventable or treatable with timely intervention.
Yet, many communities continue to face barriers such as a lack of local eye care services, limited access to specialised services, and socio-economic factors that prevent individuals from seeking necessary treatment.
The new clinic aims to address these issues by providing treatment and education to communities in need, in a way that respects and understands the cultural needs of Aboriginal people.
“Culturally safe care is key to improving health outcomes,” Associate Professor Alam said.
“It’s about creating an environment where Aboriginal patients feel respected, heard and empowered to make decisions about their own health.
“There is a long history of Aboriginal people being excluded from healthcare systems or experiencing discrimination when seeking care.
“This has contributed to a deep mistrust of mainstream services. This clinic, and our partnership with SWAMS, is an important step towards rebuilding that trust.
“By ensuring that healthcare is provided by Aboriginal health professionals and in a way that respects cultural differences, we hope to offer a solution that truly works for the community.”
Despite significant progress in some areas, a lack of culturally safe healthcare remains a major barrier for Aboriginal Australians, with many reluctant to seek medical assistance due to past negative experiences or fear of cultural insensitivity. The new eye clinic is designed to address this gap by fostering self-determination, where Aboriginal people are at the centre of the decision-making process regarding their healthcare.
The clinic’s operational model is built around the principles of self-determination. Aboriginal leadership will guide the clinic’s operations and ensure that the services are tailored to meet the specific needs of the local community.
This approach aligns with the broader philosophy that healthcare should be designed, developed and delivered by Aboriginal communities, for Aboriginal communities.
“By supporting Aboriginal health professionals and encouraging leadership within the community, we are not only improving access to care but also empowering individuals to take charge of their health,” Associate Professor Alam said.
“The eye clinic will serve as a model for how we can address health disparities in a way that is sustainable, respectful and effective.
The new clinic will also provide a permanent clinical placement site for UWA Doctor of Optometry students, who will have the opportunity to gain invaluable hands-on clinical experience in providing culturally safe eye care, while learning directly from highly skilled clinician academics.
The partnership between academic institutions and local health services will ensure that the next generation of healthcare workers is better equipped to meet the needs of Indigenous populations across Australia.
In addition to providing clinical care, the new Eye Clinic will also serve as a hub for important eye health research.
The clinic’s research focus will centre on addressing the unique eye health challenges faced by Indigenous communities, ensuring that the findings and innovations are directly relevant to the people who need them the most.
“Research plays a crucial role in closing the gap in health outcomes, and we are committed to ensuring that the research is driven by the needs and priorities of Aboriginal communities,” Associate Professor Alam said.
“The clinic will be a space where research and clinical care work hand-in-hand to improve outcomes for Aboriginal people, ensuring that we are not just treating the symptoms, but addressing the root causes of health disparities.
“This is just the beginning of what we hope will be a transformative shift in how eye care is delivered to Aboriginal people in the South West.”
Image above: Lesley Nelson (CEO of South West Aboriginal Medical Services SWAMS), Khyber Alam (UWA Associate Professor), Sally Harris (SWAMS), Dr Wilfred Tang (UWA Senior Lecturer), Lisa Jansen (UWA Lecturer), Neilsen De Souza (UWA Senior Lecturer).