Sydney Eye Hospital has equipped its Gadigal Eye Clinic with new technologies to enhance the delivery of eye care services to patients in remote areas.

These technologies allow specialists to conduct eye assessments in Moree, New South Wales (NSW), without being physically present.

The initiative is part of a broader effort to expand the network to Tamworth, to improve access to eye care for rural and regional communities in NSW.

NSW Minister for Health Ryan Park said: "We know that Aboriginal people are three times more likely to suffer from visual impairments than non-Aboriginal Australians. They are also four times more likely to have diabetic eye disease and 12 times more likely to have a blinding cataract.

“This clinic will address these statistics, acting as a hub for in-person, as well as virtual care services for eye patients throughout rural and regional NSW.”

The virtual service, set to commence next year, will be supported by local healthcare providers in partnership with the clinic.

The retinal cameras will be operated by general practitioners and nurses at outreach centres, enabling the Sydney-based team to diagnose and formulate treatment plans for patients.

This service is particularly crucial for Aboriginal communities, as it allows them to access quality eye care without leaving their local area.

The Sydney Eye Hospital Foundation has played a pivotal role in this transformation, raising A$200,000 towards the project.

Sydney Eye Hospital general manager Jennie Barry said: “The clinic will help us 'Close The Gap' by reducing barriers to accessing eye care, particularly for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients in rural and remote locations, and improving coordination of care between different providers. ​

“The new technology will enable local teams based in regional and rural NSW to be able to call on the specialist expertise of both Sydney/Sydney Eye and Prince of Wales Hospital.”