Vision Australia & Specsavers Partner to Aid Patients with Low Vision

Specsavers and Vision Australia work closely together  to enhance the quality of care and support provided to individuals with low vision. 

Catalyzed by a shared vision of increasing access for appropriate patients to receiving comprehensive support and services, both organisations recognise the need for a holistic approach and for streamlined referral processes in improving overall patient experiences. 

Specsavers ANZ Clinical Services Director Dr Ben Ashby says partnering with Vision Australia came from a realisation that Specsavers could be further supporting its patients with low vision. 

“As optometrists, we’re so focussed on preventing avoidable blindness and detecting eye conditions early. As a profession, we often rely on our ophthalmology colleagues to step in when in some circumstances, patients experience low vision or blindness. 

“However thanks to organisations like Vision Australia, patients can receive services and support to power their independence – and it doesn’t have to be as a last resort. It is simply unfair that not all relevant patients wouldn’t have the opportunity to receive the extension of care that Vision Australia offers, so we’re doing all we can to make it easier for optometrists to refer their appropriate patients to Vision Australia when the timing is right,” says Dr Ben. 

Vision Australia and Specsavers are currently working with a select group of optometry practices to learn and develop a strategy based on real life experience and data.“This partnership is poised to enhance the quality of life for countless individuals which makes it truly exciting. At the moment, there are thousands of patients who never receive support from Vision Australia simply because they aren’t referred by their health professional and they don’t find out about their services otherwise or believe they aren’t applicable. Vision Australia provides adults and children with specialist services and products so they can build and maintain their independence, connection with community, careers, educational opportunities and confidence. Specsavers optometrists see more than 4 million patients across the country each year, so we’re thrilled to have an opportunity to eventually support even more people who have low vision to live active and independent lives,” says Dr Ben. 

“As our partnership takes flight, it sends a powerful message to the entire optometry field: when we work together, we can achieve remarkable advancements in patient care and well‑being.”