THE HON WARREN SNOWDON MP
Minister for Indigenous Health, Rural and Regional Health
and Regional Services Delivery
5 October 2009
TEACHING THE IMPORTANCE OF AN EYE CHECK
The Minister for Indigenous Health, Rural and Regional Health and Regional Services Delivery, Warren
Snowdon, launched in Darwin today a new educational resource project aimed at improving eye health in
remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
The International Centre for Eyecare Education (ICEE) is undertaking the project ‘I see for Culture’ with
funding from the Australian Government through the National Eye Health Initiative Grants.
Mr Snowdon said the Rudd Government had allocated $165,000 to fund the project designed to create tools
to help health workers in remote Indigenous communities explain the importance of regular eye checks.
“Last week the National Eye Health Survey revealed that 1.9 percent of Indigenous adults are blind, and
almost of all of that sight loss could have been prevented or treated,” Mr Snowdon said.
“Trachoma, which is almost unknown in the first world, affects 7 per cent of Indigenous children living in
very remote areas, and could be solved with basic hygiene, the prescription of antibiotics and regular eye
checks.
“That is why the Rudd Government is pleased to be working with organisations such as the ICEE to
encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to ‘Get Your Eyes Checked’ and ‘Look After Your
Eyes’.”
The ‘I See for Culture’ education resource kit for Indigenous communities in remote Australia was
developed after extensive consultation with health providers and Aboriginal medical services about what
they need to help explain the importance of eye checks.
It is primarily a picture-based approach, featuring photos of Mark Ella; the first Indigenous captain of the
Australian Wallabies rugby union team and contains a range of resources including flip charts, posters, a
model eye and eye disease simulator masks.
“This kit will be made available to 150 remote communities across Australia, and assessed to ensure it does
meet the needs of the local people,” said Mr Snowdon.
“This effort fits alongside the Rudd Government’s $58.3 million investment to expand ear and eye services
to Indigenous Australians. The measure will see an expansion of the Visiting Optometrist Scheme,
additional eye surgery, particularly for remote Indigenous people, and increased trachoma services.
“The Rudd Government is committed to the elimination of avoidable blindness, for all Australians.”
Media contact: Kerry Gardiner 0448 182 071
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