Cataract surgery and Indigenous eye care: A review
Hugh R Taylor1, Mitchell D Anjou1
1Indigenous Eye Health Unit, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Clinical & Experimental Ophthalmology
|February 9, 2020
Summary
Cataract surgery access is critical for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples experiencing vision loss. Reducing surgical waiting times and addressing care pathway barriers are urgently needed to improve outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Public Health
- Indigenous Health
Background:
- Cataract is the primary cause of blindness and significant vision loss among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
- Existing care pathways to cataract surgery present numerous barriers and gaps.
- Despite recent service increases, timely and affordable surgical access remains a challenge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the urgent need for improved access to cataract surgery for Indigenous Australians.
- To identify critical gaps and barriers within the current cataract care pathway.
- To advocate for reduced waiting times for surgical assessment and procedures.
Main Methods:
- Review of current cataract care pathways for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
- Analysis of service provision and accessibility data.
- Identification of key barriers impacting timely surgical intervention.
Main Results:
- Significant delays persist in clinical assessment and surgical waiting lists, particularly for public services.
- Barriers in the pathway impede timely and affordable access to sight-restoring surgery.
- While services have increased, urgent improvements are still required.
Conclusions:
- Urgent action is required to decrease waiting times for cataract surgery assessments and procedures.
- Addressing systemic barriers in the care pathway is essential for improving vision outcomes.
- Facilitating timely and affordable cataract surgery is crucial for the Indigenous Australian population.
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