by Lucy Goodman | 29 Jul, 2022 | News
Attendees at the Eye Health Aotearoa launch in July 2022: Hon Peeni Henare, Associate Minister of Health (Māori Health) ; Dr Liz Craig MP and Dr Elizabeth Kerekere, Co-chairs of the Parliamentary Friends of Eye Health; Renata Watene, Joint author of the “Eye care in Aotearoa New Zealand 2022” Report; Judy Small, Chair of the RNZFB Board, and Drew Keys from the IAPB; with Eye Health Aotearoa Trustees. Source: Eye Health Aotearoa
In July 2022, Eye Health Aotearoa held an event in parliament to promote the importance of eye health. The event launched a report prepared by Community Eye Health researchers describing the state of eye care services in Aotearoa New Zealand, commissioned by Eye Health Aotearoa and funded by Blind Low Vision New Zealand. Read the full story here.
For a plain language summary of this work, please visit our resources page.
by Lucy Goodman | 27 Jul, 2022 | Pacific Islands, Resources
In 2022, researchers from the Community Eye Health team (Pushkar Silwal, Renata Watene, Jacqueline Ramke) were commissioned to prepare a detailed report that summarises the state of eye care services in Aotearoa New Zealand. The report highlights that while New Zealand has a solid foundation for good quality eye care services, there is room for improvement in the way we plan and deliver eye care services to ensure all New Zealanders can access the services they need. Eye Care in Aotearoa New Zealand (2022) uses the World Health Organization’s Eye Care Situation Analysis Tool (ECSAT) to summarise the performance of our eye care services. The tool consists of 31 items (grouped into six ‘building blocks’) that each assess a different component of New Zealand’s eye care services.
Read the published report and download the plain language summary of the findings.
Why did we undertake an ECSAT?
Globally, more than a billion people live with vision impairment and the negative effects this can have on their lives. To reduce this problem, in its inaugural World report on vision, the World Health Organization called for eye health to be part of efforts to achieve universal health coverage (UHC) through implementing Integrated People-centred Eye Care across the spectrum of promotive, preventative, curative and rehabilitative services. In 2020, this call was adopted by 194 countries at the 73rd World Health Assembly (including Aotearoa). To improve our eye care services, we must first understand the strengths and weaknesses of current services. This understanding is enabled by ECSAT, which is the first of four tools in the Guide for Action developed by WHO to support countries to strengthen integration of eye care into the health system.
The ECSAT report was commissioned by Eye Health Aotearoa to support New Zealand’s policy makers to develop integrated people-centred eye care, and ensure that all New Zealanders can access quality care.
How did we prepare the report?
To prepare the report, we established a Technical Working Group that included members with experience in optometry, ophthalmology, primary care/general practice, rehabilitation and Māori health. We used information gathered from published documents, which we augmented by interviewing with people with detailed knowledge of eye care services. The report can be downloaded from the Open Science Framework.
The report was launched by Eye Health Aotearoa at Parliament on 27 July 2023.
What are the major findings of the report?
The report identified that components of our eye care services in Aotearoa that are generally “strong” or only “need minor strengthening”, include:
- Service delivery: The quality of eye care services.
- Workforce & infrastructure: Ensuring that workers are trained and available to provide eye care services.
In contrast, the components of our eye care services that had aspects that “need major strengthening” include:
- Leadership & governance: Planning, integrating and coordinating services, with appropriate policies in place.
- Financing: How services are funded, including reducing out-of-pocket costs for population groups who are less able to afford services.
- Access to services: Availability of the range of services throughout the country, as well as whether all population groups can access them.
- Information: How service performance is monitored, and whether evidence is used to inform how services operate.
The report provides a detailed list of 81 recommended actions that may help strengthen eye care services in New Zealand.
Citation: Silwal P, Watene R, Cowan C, Cunningham W, Harwood M, Korau J, Sue W, Wilson G, Ramke J. Eye care in Aotearoa New Zealand 2022: Eye care situation analysis tool (ECSAT). Auckland: University of Auckland, 2022. Available at: https://osf.io/r75zs/
Funding: The report was prepared for Eye Health Aotearoa, with funding from Blind Low Vision New Zealand.
by Lucy Goodman | 7 Jul, 2022 | News, Population-based eye health survey
A pilot eye health survey and eye exams in East Central Auckland (Orakei, Panmure and Glen Innes) on Maori and Pacific people uncovered significant unmet need among three population groups living in this area.
Telusila Moala-Mafi Vea is the Community Survey Coordinator for the Community Eye Health team. She holds a Master’s in Public Health from Massey University, with a focus on the health of Pacific people. As a Pacific person herself, Telusila plays a key role in the Community Eye Health team by engaging with the community to understand their needs.
Telusila coordinated the Community Eye Pilot Study that took place in 2021. Currently, she spends some of her time interviewing people who participated in the pilot study, so that we can better understand the challenges they face when seeking eye care.
Here, we share some of Telusila’s insights from working with Pacific people in the community.
“I really enjoy working and helping my own people, particularly Pacific and Māori people. Once they know I am of Pasifika heritage, they expressed themselves freely and tend to tell me their problems. This is because they embraced me as one of them.” [Telusila Moala-Mafi Vea]
When we visited the Auckland suburb of Glen Innes to recruit people for our Community Eye Pilot Study, our team relied on Telusila to engage with Pacific people in a way that valued their culture, tradition, and family histories.
“Where they come from is very important. Pacific people’s beliefs are the priority. Pacific people’s second home is church,” she explains.
Rather than approaching people directly at their doorsteps, Telusila’s first step was to build their trust. She met with church leaders in the community, where she explained what the eye survey involved and why it was important to include as many Pacific people as possible. Her own Pacific culture allowed her to develop rapport with the community, and her efforts were well received.
“Your coordinator came and talked at our church about your program, it was such a blessing. The coordinator explained the process clearly. I was happy that I will have a chance to check my eyes.” [participant in the Community Eye Pilot Study]
As part of her work in the Community Eye Pilot Study, Telusila has spoken to many Pacific people who can’t access the eye care services that they need. Sometimes this is because people find it difficult to get to their optometrist, particularly if
there isn’t one nearby. Most often though, the cost of eye care is what prevents Pacific people from getting their eyes checked.
“Eye examinations and glasses are very expensive, and people cannot afford to meet these costs. When people cannot afford to go to the optometrist, they will go to the $2-dollar shops and purchase those glasses and use them,” explains Telusila.
“Our people cannot afford to visit an optometrist, let alone purchasing the prescribed glasses. Our people do not have the money, but we need to access the optometry and check our eyes regularly as this is very important for our health.” [participant in the Community Eye Pilot Study]
Some projects and services coordinated by the Community Eye Health team—such as the Community Eye Pilot Study—allow people in the community the opportunity to access eye examinations that they may not otherwise be able to afford. Telusila has received positive feedback from many Pacific people who have received free eye care by participating in the Community Eye Pilot Study, and this has changed their lives for the better:
“Now I got my glasses, I am quite confident to go anywhere without asking for help, at home, shopping and church. This is the first time for me to wear glasses. Now I am comfortable to complete forms at the doctor, read my bible at church, and do my shopping.”
“Life is wonderful for me, I am confident now when I have my new glass. It gave me a new life.”
“I never had this opportunity to fully checked my eyes, this is the first time. Participating in this program is the best thing that ever happened to me, as my eyes are so important to me. This makes me feel happy and grateful.” [participants in the Community Eye Pilot Study]
So how can we help more people access these types of services? Telusila has observed a need for affordable eye care in New Zealand, such as free or subsidised eye examinations and prescription glasses, particularly services that are located close to Pacific communities. She speaks highly of the Vision Bus Aotearoa, which provides mobile eye care services to people who need them the most. She hopes that this service will one day reach Pacific communities where it can remove the transportation and financial concerns that some people face when seeking eye care.
“Based on what I had experienced with your service, there is a need for this service to made available for our family and community. It is very important that we take care of our eyes and check them regularly. In saying that, costs should be affordable by our people.” [participant in the Community Eye Pilot Study]
Meanwhile, Telusila feels happy that she could be involved in helping people improve their lives. Her work continues, and we hope she can provide a voice for many more Pacific people in the community.
“I only hope the government can subsidised the cost and see the important of eye health care to us and the community. We all deserve a good quality of life, especially constantly checking our eyes. This is a much valuable program and need to continue.” [participant in the Community Eye Pilot Study]
by Lucy Goodman | 8 Jun, 2022 | News, Vision bus Aotearoa
On Friday 10th June, The University of Auckland will host the official launch of the long-awaited Vision Bus Aotearoa.
The Vision Bus Aotearoa is an initiative of the School of Optometry and Vision Science, made possible with philanthropic support, that provides affordable mobile eye care services to eligible people in the Auckland region. Eye care services are provided by Bachelor of Optometry students who are supervised by qualified Optometrists.
The Vision Bus Aotearoa aims to raise awareness of eye health in the community, and so far, appears to be on the road towards achieving this. Since arriving in Auckland in February 2022, the bus has visited several primary schools to provide eye care for children identified with vision problems during school screening. Early impressions by schools, teachers, and parents are excellent, with increasing demand for the service.
“The Vision Bus has made a massive difference to our tamariki and their whanau! Knowing that their vision or lack of it is not a barrier to their learning. Developing students that are able to access all platforms and achieve success in visual art, reading and other parts of the curriculum.
Ka Pai to the Vision Bus and the amazing team supporting our Tamariki! Wish for your success and a great journey touching the vision of so many students out there.” [Mihi Aroha, Special Education Needs Coordinator, Fairburn school]
The bus has also provided eye care to residents of the Mangere Refugee Centre. In the long-term, partnerships with Māori health providers and residential care facilities will expand the service to include other groups of people who may benefit from the service.
The Vision Bus Aotearoa is supported by generous funding from philanthropic funders Peter and Rae Fehl and their family, whose work aims to increase educational opportunities for school and university students. Helen Blake QSM and Barbara Blake (via the Community Spectacle Fund) together with Essilor, have provided spectacles for all patients of the Aotearoa Vision Bus who need them. We are also grateful for support from the Buchanan Charitable Foundation.
The bus will be on display during the launch ceremony at Grafton Campus of The University of Auckland from 1pm on the 10th June.
by Lucy Goodman | 15 Nov, 2021 | News, Vision bus Aotearoa
Back row, from left: Professional teaching fellow Renata Watene, digital solutions architect Andrew Cho, professional teaching fellow Veeran Morar. Front row, from left: Professor Steven Dakin, technical manager Adina Giurgiu, senior support engineer Sam Elias.
Benefactors Peter and Rae Fehl describe the story behind their generous donation towards the Vision Bus Aotearoa project–a mobile optometry clinic that will bring eye care services to people who may not otherwise be able to access them. Read the full story here.
