A call for a new approach to diagnosis and falls prevention
As the population ages and vision loss becomes more common, the need for a more efficient and effective diagnostic pathway in eye care has never been more important.
There is growing recognition that the traditional approach, particularly in how GPs, optometrists and eye specialists work together in the diagnosis process, may require some changes.
Recent discussions within the eye care community have highlighted the need to involve optometrists more closely in broader health initiatives like falls prevention. While guidelines have been published to support optometrists in this area, the actual implementation and impact of them is still not well understood.
With over 50% of Australians aged 65 and older receiving optometric services*, eye care professionals are in a unique position to contribute to falls prevention. Current care models frequently miss these routine referrals, leading to lost opportunities for early intervention.
Multidisciplinary care plans, which involve different types of healthcare professionals working together, can play a huge role in reducing falls that lead to hospital stays, yet these plans often don't include vision assessments. This oversight means valuable opportunities are missed to improve patient outcomes.
Both patients and healthcare providers are open to including optometrists in falls prevention programs, so there’s a real potential to make a difference if this gap can be closed.
For example, cataract surgery, a procedure that can significantly reduce the risk of falls, faces challenges due to healthcare professional shortages and inadequate funding, resulting in long wait times. Investing more in the eye care sector could not only reduce healthcare costs and demand on other healthcare services, but also improve the overall health and wellbeing of patients.
To provide the best eye care for older Australians, it’s essential to regularly update their care based on the latest information and high standards. Addressing falls in older adults requires a strong, co-ordinated effort from optometrists, GPs, and other health professionals. By increasing funding, working together in multidisciplinary teams, and following evidence-based guidelines, we can lower the risk of falls and greatly improve the well-being of older Australians.
The goal is clear: to create a care system that truly meets the needs of all patients, deliver timely, high-quality care, and leads to better outcomes for those living with vision loss.
*Deeble Institute for Eye Health Policy, 2024
