Published: 30 October 2025 | Updated: 27 September 2026 | Author: Smart Vision Optometry
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. This interview discusses concerns raised during Optometry Australia’s campaign ahead of the 2025 federal election. The campaign statements and political responses below are historical context, not a report of current party positions.
Optometry Australia’s March 2025 analysis reported that per-capita rates of Medicare-subsidised initial comprehensive eye examinations for people under 65 fell by nearly 20 percent between 2017–18 and 2023–24. The association linked the decline to access and cost pressures. This measures a particular subsidised service, rather than all eye-care visits, and does not by itself establish the cause of the decline.
“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
Optometry Australia’s 21 March 2025 campaign update described lobbying against the 2014 Budget decision to change the interval for Medicare-subsidised initial comprehensive examinations for under-65s from two years to three. It reported more than 400 optometrists sending over 5,500 emails. The political responses listed below were those reported in that March 2025 update.
- 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.”
Assessment can identify specific visual problems and guide suitable treatment or referral. Orthokeratology may be an option for selected children with myopia; vision therapy has specific indications. Neither should be presented as a general treatment for learning or behavioural difficulties.
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). In that analysis, the 2023–24 per-capita rate was lower than the 2020–21 rate; it is not a statement about rates in 2026.
“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 is due for an eye assessment, or has new symptoms, ask which appointment is appropriate. Review timing and additional testing should reflect individual needs and clinical findings.
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
Editorial update: current access and individual care
Gary’s and Jacquie’s original interview comments and advocacy views are retained above. Campaign figures and political responses are dated historical reporting. A Medicare funding interval is different from an individual clinical recall recommendation, and new symptoms should not wait for a routine recall.
What should you know about Medicare and fees?
You can book directly with an optometrist without a GP referral. Services Australia explains that Medicare can pay for eligible eye tests when the optometrist bulk bills, but not every practice bulk bills. Its general guidance lists a three-year interval for people under 65 and a yearly interval for older adults. Confirm your individual eligibility and the fee for the appointment being proposed.
Medicare does not cover the cost of glasses or contact lenses. Private health insurance benefits depend on your cover. Before booking, ask which services are included, whether additional tests have a separate fee, and what rebate may apply. Read Services Australia’s current eye-test guidance. This article does not promise bulk billing at Smart Vision Optometry.
Related reading covers eye screening and diabetes and dry-eye symptoms and treatment. Sudden vision loss, a painful red eye or an eye injury needs urgent assessment.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a GP referral for an optometrist?
No. You can book directly with an optometrist. If specialist medical care is needed, the appropriate referral can be discussed.
Does Medicare eligibility determine when I should seek care?
No. Ask about your individual review schedule, and seek advice when symptoms or vision changes occur rather than waiting for a routine funding interval.
Are all eye tests bulk billed?
No. Practices set their fees and billing arrangements. Confirm the appointment cost, what is included and any applicable rebate before booking.
Arrange an eye assessment
Explore our eye health testing information, or contact the Bondi Beach practice or Mosman practice to discuss the appointment suited to your concerns.
