More than 1,000 operations to restore sight for First Nations Queenslanders have been completed thanks to a unique partnership between the Institute for Urban Indigenous Health (IUIH) and Mater.
Groups of up to 30 near-blind patients at a time have been treated during cataract surgery sessions at Mater Private Hospital Springfield.
First Nations people are more likely to suffer serious sight deterioration at an earlier age than non-Indigenous Australians, but cataract surgery can restore their sight – and change lives.
The First Nations-led program supports and treats Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people needing cataract surgery through a culturally informed and holistic service.
IUIH outreach optometrists and the Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services across Southeast Queensland work together to identify eligible patients.
These patients are then treated by Mater clinicians and Queensland Health (Metro South) at Mater Private Hospital Springfield, where they are operated on by Mater Hospital Brisbane Director of Ophthalmology Dr. Sunil Warrier and specialist ophthalmologist Dr. Jon Farrah.
“We know a lot of First Nations people lose their vision around the age of 50 to 60 years, a lot earlier than Caucasian people, who tend to be around the age of 60 to 70,” Dr. Warrier said.
The Cataract Pathway program, which began in 2016, currently facilitates around 150 publicly funded operations a year.
IUIH CEO Adrian Carson highlighted the program’s success in improving access for Southeast Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, offering pre- and post-operative care, transport, and personal support on the day of surgery at no additional cost to the healthcare system.
“Accessing surgery for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients was previously a story of long wait-lists and repetition of appointments,” Mr. Carson said.
“These challenges highlight the need for system-wide improvements, especially within the urban setting where Indigenous clients are at risk of falling through the gaps if the client journey does not have a seamless interface between each level of care.”
Dr. Warrier expressed his privilege in helping to improve healthcare within local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, working alongside Mater anaesthetists Dr. Conrad Macrokanis, Dr. John Lau, and Dr. Michael Willis.
“It’s a culturally sensitive all-in-one service,” Dr. Warrier said.
“On the day of the procedure, their affected eye is scanned, reassessed, and a new intra-ocular lens is selected from a huge repository brought in specifically for the day. The patient is operated on and discharged back to the care of the team at IUIH.”
Quandamooka man Ian Delaney, 70, and Wakka Wakka Elder Gordon Cowburn, 75, were among the patients who underwent cataract procedures.
Mr. Delaney looked forward to ditching his glasses.
“I had a check-up the other day and things are great,” he said.
“My life has improved, and I’m much happier now.”
