NT and NSW state/territory governments recommit important support for BHVI programs

Sydney Australia, 7 November, 2019: BHVI is embarking on a new strategic roadmap for our organization. This has included refreshing the way that we interact with all our stakeholders, including the incredible donors and not for profit organizations who support us.

A key part of our simplified, streamlined approach is being transparent about the ways that different parts of BHVI interact with the public. BHVI, supported by our science arm, VisionCRC, is leading our industry, translating innovative STEM research into commercially successful products.

As a not-for-profit organisation, we direct the surplus proceeds of our commercial endeavours towards further research and to our foundation. Our foundation provides child eye health care, accessible eye care and helps to train and develop the optometrist workforce in Australia and across the globe. Our foundation plays a key role in correcting poor vision with those most in need.

Our foundation engages with government and other non-profit organizations to secure further funding to provide and enhance these integral services. In the last months, both the New South Wales and Northern Territory governments recommitted funding to our important indigenous eye health programs through the Visiting Optometrist Scheme.

We will continue to provide on-going, regular and free eye examinations and access to optical solutions to Aboriginal communities across both regions. Working with Aboriginal eye health practitioners and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services, we are building stronger connections between optometrists and the local communities. Together, we ensure the service is effective, culturally safe and adaptable to the needs of the local communities.

BHVI opened our first optometry clinic in Walgett in December 1999. We now visit more than 150 locations across the country on a regular on-going basis. In the last four years, we have provided 39,920 individual eye examinations and provided 27,204 pairs of glasses to Indigenous Australians.

“WAMS are delighted to continue working with the exceptional team at BHVI to continue delivering these incredible important services to our Aboriginal Communities,” said Christine Corby OAM, Chief Executive Officer, Walgett Aboriginal Medical Service Limited.

The streamlining of our organisation has enabled us to focus our endeavours within the foundation. For the first time, we are working together, under the leadership of our first female CEO, Yvette Waddell to continue developing innovative technology and delivering integral services to stem the Myopia epidemic.


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About BHVI

BHVI was established in 1985 and six years later it launched its specialist science arm, VisionCRC. It has a long successful history of co-developing innovative ophthalmic devices, including the Focus Night & Day contact lens with Alcon / CIBA Vision. This has brought in more than $300 million in royalty income for BHVI and its global project partners. Through our foundation, we provide child eye health care, accessible eye care and helps to train and develop the optometrist workforce in Australia and across the globe.

Today, nearly all who wear contact lenses have benefited from the research and efforts of BHVI.

For further information please contact:

Emily Kucukalic
+61 403 931 360
emily@bny.com.au

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