Darwin, Australia. 12 February 2016: People in remote communities are enjoying better eye healthcare thanks to the eye health team from the Brien Holden Vision Institute, reports the Australian Government, Department for Indigenous Affairs.

With funding from the Australian Government’s Visiting Optometrist Scheme (VOS), optometrist Luke Arkapaw and his colleague Michelle Pollard regularly visit eighty two remote communities around the NT performing eye checks and preventing vision loss.

“In remote communities there are a lot of eye problems,” Luke said.

“Indigenous children generally have very good sight and are five times less likely to have eye problems than non-Indigenous children, but by the time they become adults, Indigenous people are six times more likely to have eyesight problems than other Australians.”

Luke says that Brien Holden Vision Institute’s determination to offer a culturally appropriate service has led to positive changes around community attitudes to eye health.

Luke Arkapaw, Senior Project Development Officer, Asia Pacific,  Brien Holden Vision Institute was recently interviewed by Zane Whitehorn, Adviser for Indigenous Communication and Engagement Support Branch, Ministerial Support Division.

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