RANZCO is working with regional governments, health professionals and stakeholders to reduce the alarming rise in eye disease in the Pacific region.
The Pacific region faces alarmingly high rates of blindness and vision impairment, primarily due to preventable and treatable conditions such as cataracts, uncorrected refractive errors and diabetic retinopathy (DR).
Up to 69 per cent of people with diabetes in some Pacific countries are presenting with DR, which is more than double the global rate. Diabetic eye diseases, if left untreated, can lead to significant vision impairment or blindness, severely impacting individuals’ quality of life.
Addressing these issues requires a focus on preventive care and early intervention. Regular eye screenings, early detection and timely treatment are crucial to preventing or delaying the progression of vision-threatening conditions.
However, the region struggles with limited resources, workforce and facilities for diagnosing and treating diabetic eye diseases. Economic barriers, geographical challenges and low levels of awareness among healthcare providers and patients exacerbate the issue, often leading to late diagnoses and inadequate management of eye conditions.
Few Pacific countries have national eye health plans and policies, and investment in strengthening eye health systems and progressing towards universal health coverage for eye care is minimal. Addressing these challenges requires international collaboration and support. Strengthening partnerships between local health authorities, international organisations and non-governmental organisations can help build capacity, improve access to care and raise awareness.
RANZCO is actively working with ophthalmologists, health service managers and various stakeholders, including Pacific nation governments, donor governments, and organisations like the Fred Hollows Foundation New Zealand, PacEYES, the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB), WHO, Sight For All, and industry organisations. These efforts focus on supporting eye health systems in Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, Kiribati and Vanuatu.
RANZCO has also established a partnership with the All-India Ophthalmological Society to facilitate training and sustainable service provision throughout the Pacific. This collaboration, along with continued support from ophthalmological peak societies, aims to enhance eye health outcomes in the Pacific region.
Recently, a joint delegation from RANZCO and AIOS visited Samoa to commence in-country service provision support to the ophthalmology department of the Tupua Tamasese Meaole Hospital at Motootua, Apia, and advocacy for enhanced system strengthening. RANZCO representatives also visited Tonga to meet with local eye health professionals, hospital managers and government representatives.
RANZCO will continue to work with regional partners to support a sustainable eye health system for our regional neighbours. By building robust international collaborations and focusing on preventive care, early intervention and comprehensive eye health systems, we can make significant strides towards reducing blindness and vision impairment in the Pacific.