Urgent Action Needed as Vision Care Slips Through the Cracks
Australia is facing a silent crisis in vision care—and the alarm bells are getting louder. Optometrists nationwide are warning that reduced access to routine eye exams is putting the long‑term visual health of millions at risk. As discussions around preventative healthcare dominate the national agenda in the lead‑up to the next federal election in 2028, the eye‑health sector is calling for urgent policy change to address a growing shortfall in care.
According to Medicare data, initial comprehensive eye examinations for people under 65 fell by nearly 20 percent between 2017‑18 and 2023‑24, reflecting not only cost‑of‑living pressures but also policy failures (Optometry Australia, 2025). Detailed figures show that per‑capita rates of these exams decreased from 8,898 per 100,000 to 7,284 per 100,000 in that period, and the number of Australians under 65 receiving the subsidised exam dropped from 2,234,228 to 1,956,402 (Optometry Australia, 2024).
“We wouldn’t accept this level of decline in cancer screenings or cardiovascular checks,” says Gary Rodney, founder and creator of Smart Vision Optometry, Master of Optometry, Behavioural Optometrist, and Fellow of the International Academy of Orthokeratology and Myopia Control (FIAOMC). “Preventative eye care is just as vital. Delayed detection of eye diseases can result in irreversible vision loss.”
Policy Paralysis: No Clear Path Forward
Since the 2014 Medicare policy extended the interval for subsidised comprehensive eye exams for under‑65s from two years to three, optometrists have lobbied for its reversal. Over 400 practitioners across Australia have sent more than 5,500 emails to federal representatives seeking change. However, as of September 2025, responses remain inadequate.
- The Australian Labor Party has deferred to the Medicare Services Advisory Committee without committing to reform.
- The Greens support general Medicare expansion—mainly focused on dental, not eye care.
- The Coalition has yet to comment.
“The lack of political will is deeply disappointing,” says Rodney. “While optometrists continue to raise the alarm, governments seem content to delay action through bureaucratic channels. This delay is costing Australians their sight.”
Children’s Vision Falling Through the Cracks
One of the most alarming consequences of policy inertia is its impact on children’s vision. Conditions like childhood myopia, accommodation dysfunction, and visual processing delays often emerge early—but without regular exams, they may go undetected until they affect learning, behaviour, future eye health, and overall development.
“We’re seeing children in clinic whose vision problems could have been managed much earlier,” says Jacquie Gattegno, Orthokeratologist and Principal Optometrist at Eyes InDesign Smart Vision Optometry Bondi. “Behavioural optometry is about more than reading letters on a chart—it’s about understanding how a child uses their vision to learn, move, and engage with the world.”
Early detection and personalised interventions such as vision therapy or orthokeratology can significantly improve long‑term outcomes—but only if children are examined at the right time.
A Nationwide Drop in Eye Exams
This downward trend in eye exams is not limited to one region or age group. The decline is evident across all jurisdictions and every demographic under 65, with a 6.2 percent drop in just one year between 2022‑23 and 2023‑24 (Optometry Australia, 2025). This places current exam rates lower than during the height of the COVID‑19 pandemic in 2020‑21 (Optometry Australia, 2025).
“Cost‑of‑living stress is part of the problem,” Gattegno notes. “Families are making tough decisions, and unfortunately, preventative eye care is often pushed down the list. But ignoring a child’s visual development has long‑term academic and emotional consequences.”
The Rise of Vision‑Threatening Conditions
At the same time, chronic conditions—such as glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, and progressive myopia—are becoming increasingly prevalent. Many of these can be managed or mitigated if detected early through routine comprehensive exams.
“People often associate vision care with glasses or contacts,” Rodney explains, “but what we’re really doing is monitoring the health of the entire visual system. Eye exams can reveal early signs of systemic diseases like diabetes and hypertension. Underutilising them is a national health risk.”
A Call for Australians to Take Vision Seriously
As healthcare debates unfold in Canberra, Smart Vision Optometry joins the national plea for action. We urge Australians to advocate for improved Medicare support—and more immediately—to prioritise their own eye health and that of their families.
“We’re committed to helping every individual get the premium eye care they need and deserve,” says Gattegno. “But this must be a shared responsibility—between practitioners, our communities, and our elected leaders.”
Take Control of Your Eye Health Today
If you or a family member hasn’t had a Smart Vision Comprehensive Vision Skills assessment, not just a simple eyesight test, in the past two years, please don’t wait.
Whether you’re concerned about a child’s learning, managing an existing condition, or preserving long‑term vision, book a consultation with one of our accredited Smart Vision Behavioural Optometrists today.
Book an appointment, or call the Bondi clinic on (02) 9365 5047 or the Mosman clinic on (02) 9969 1600.
Experience the difference a holistic approach to vision care can make. Contact Smart Vision Optometry today to see the world in a new way.
Bibliography
Optometry Australia. (2024, November 20). Eyes on Medicare campaign – A call to reinstate two-yearly eye exams. Optometry Australia. Retrieved August 15, 2025, from https://www.optometry.org.au/advocacy_government/eyes-on-medicare-campaign-a-call-to-reinstate-two-yearly-eye-exams/Optometry Australia. (2025, March 21). Wake up, Canberra! Ignoring eye health is costing Australians their sight. Optometry Australia. Retrieved August 15, 2025, from https://www.optometry.org.au/advocacy_government/wake-up-canberra-ignoring-eye-health-is-costing-australians-their-sight
