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Pilot Project To Target Those Most At Risk Of Blindness In Latrobe  Pilot Project To Target Those Most At Risk Of Blindness In Latrobe Eye disease in Latrobe will be targeted in a new $1.57 million pilot program to be rolled out by the Vision Initiative, Minister for Health David Davis recently announced. By Russell Northe - 30th October 2013 - Back to News Mr Davis said Latrobe had been chosen for the pilot because new data from the Victorian Population Health Survey (VPHS) showed that Latrobe had high numbers of people who were at greater risk of vision loss and blindness.
Member for Morwell Russell Northe said the pilots will integrate into existing health systems and deliver training to GPs, pharmacists and practice nurses, to improve identification of people at risk of eye disease and encourage them to have regular eye tests with an appropriate eye health professional.
"The Latrobe pilot will be important for informing future activities not just in Latrobe but in Victoria," Mr Northe said. "The pilot will deliver a coordinated approach at a local level to reduce avoidable vision loss and blindness in these communities. "It is important that all Latrobe City residents have regular eye tests to reduce the chance of vision loss." Minister for Health David Davis said those most at risk of avoidable vision loss include people over the age of 40, smokers, people with diabetes, those with a family history of eye disease and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
"These pilot projects will be rolled out across the local government areas of Darebin, Greater Shepparton, Greater Geelong and Latrobe and will conclude after 12 months of their implementation," Mr Davis said.
"It is concerning the VPHS data shows that one-in-five Victorians have never had an eye test.
"I urge all Victorians to have regular eye tests."
The Victorian Coalition Government is committed to promoting eye health and reducing the impact of avoidable blindness and vision loss on the Victorian community.
"The Coalition Government has committed $2.55 million to deliver the Vision Initiative, managed by Vision 2020 Australia and supported by the Vision Initiative steering committee," Mr Davis said.
New data from the 2011-2012 Victorian Population Health Survey
|
Victoria |
Latrobe |
|
Adults that have never had an eye test with an eye health professional |
20.4% |
17.5% |
|
People aged over 35 who do not have regular eye examinations (once every two years) |
23.4% |
26.6% |
|
|
|
|
russell.northe@parliament.vic.gov.au www.russellnorthe.com.au 66 George St, Morwell VIC 3840 ph 03 5133 9088 fax 03 5133 9388
|
Adults aged over 35 who have never seen an eye health professional |
15.8% |
16.2% |
|
Adults who noticed a change in their vision in the last 12 months |
41.8% |
38.9% |
|
Of those who noticed a change in their vision, people who saw an eye professional within the year |
59.7% |
58.4% |
|
People who are smokers |
15.7% |
19.8% |
|
People with diabetes |
5.0% |
7.0% |
Media contact: Russell Northe 5133 9088
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: news@gippsland.com
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