The Centre for Eye Research Australia (CERA) has set up a new Health Services Research Unit investigating solutions to overcome the backlog of undiagnosed and untreated eye conditions resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic.
The unit, headed by Specsavers former eye health director Peter Larsen in an honorary capacity, will examine how new technologies, telemedicine and better coordination between different parts of the eye care sector could increase access to screening services, early treatment and prevent avoidable blindness. It will focus on diseases like diabetic eye disease, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration and cataracts.
Eye care services were struggling to meet demand before Covid-19, said Larsen, with demand for Medicare-funded eye services in Australia rising about 5% annually. This is expected to be greatly exacerbated post-pandemic as people with undiagnosed and untreated conditions pour into the system, he said. “Despite the ongoing challenges, the pandemic has also accelerated the pace and acceptance of telemedicine and remote services, which has great potential to increase access to services and lead to sight-saving treatments.”
The new unit’s research will initially examine backlogs experienced in Australia, but its findings could have global significance, he said.
Recent analysis by Optometry Australia showed there were one million fewer general optometry services during the peak Covid-period, while Specsavers data from the start of the pandemic in March and April 2020 showed there were 600,000 fewer Medicare-funded optometry services compared to the previous year; 40,000 fewer visual field assessments for glaucoma; 17,000 fewer dilated eye exams for people with diabetes; and 25,000 fewer patients needing specialist referrals missing appointments.
