GIPPSLAND Primary Health Network (Gippsland PHN) has partnered with the Victorian Department of Health and Vision 2020 Australia to improve detection of eye disease across Gippsland.
Gippsland PHN is one of five primary health networks across Victoria to implement the pilot project. Ten Gippsland general practices were awarded $7000 to focus on embedding eye health preventative care within their practice.
Gippsland PHN acting chief executive, Angela Jacob, said general practice played a crucial role in reducing avoidable blindness and vision loss, and its associated burden of disease.
“The impacts of vision loss are multifaceted,” she explained.
“By implementing this pilot project, Gippsland general practices will develop sustainable quality system improvements to embed eye health in primary care, that includes focussing on increasing engagement with local optometrists and ophthalmologists.”
Many eye conditions are preventable if detected and treated early. Regular eye examinations can identify avoidable blindness and vision loss.
While eye disease can occur at any age, the risk factors include:
- being over 40 years of age;
- smoking;
- hypertension;
- diabetes, and;
- having a family history of eye disease.
For more information, including eye health education and quality improvement resources, visit gphn.org.au/what-we-do/integrating-the-health-system/digital-health/
