More than 33% of Australians who have eye problems live in
regional areas, but the majority of Australia's eye health workers
live and work in major cities, according to a report released today
by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW).
The report, Eye health labour force in Australia, found
that in 2006 about 80% of eye health workers lived in major
cities.
'Of Australians with eye disorders, only 67% lived in major
cities,' Mr David Braddock of the Australian Institute of Health
and Welfare said.
'The report highlights the fact that many people living in
regional and remote areas need to travel when seeking treatment for
an eye disorder,' he said.
The eye health labour force includes a range of health
professionals, including ophthalmologists, ophthalmic nurses,
optometrists and orthoptists as well as tradespeople such as
optical dispensers and optical mechanics.
The majority of ophthalmologists (an eye specialist or surgeon
who specialises in eye-related diseases and injuries) worked in
major cities.
'Only 18% of ophthalmologists worked in regional areas, while
about 33% of Australians with eye disorders lived in regional
areas,' Mr Braddock said.
There were four ophthalmologists per 100,000 people working in
major cities compared to two per 100,000 people working in both
inner regional and outer regional areas.
'Because most ophthalmologists work in specialised facilities
such as operating theatres, there are very few working in regional
or remote areas,' Mr Braddock said.
Because of the ageing population, the demand for eye health
workers is likely to increase.
Between 2001 and 2006, the number of orthoptists increased by
19%.
Orthoptists specialise in the diagnosis and management of
disorders of eye movements and associated vision problems. They
also perform investigative procedures and help rehabilitate
patients with vision loss.
The report found orthoptists and ophthalmic nurses (nurses who
provide care to patients being treated by an eye specialist or
surgeon), had the highest proportion of female workers (90% and 96%
respectively), while ophthalmologists had the lowest at 16%.
The report is the fourth in a series of national reports
providing an overview of eye health and eye health care in
Australia and is available in a rich text format (RTF) Word version
to facilitate access for vision-impaired people.
Thursday 10 September 2009
Further information: Mr David Braddock, AIHW,
tel. 02 6244 1136, mob. 0419 496 770
For media copies of the report: Publications
Officer, AIHW, tel. (02) 6244 1032.
Availability: Check the AIHW Publications area
for the availability of Eye health labour force
in Australia