Helen Keller said, “Alone we can do so little. Together we can do so much”.
This issue demonstrates the power of Keller’s statement, with several articles describing collaborative efforts to improve eye health in Australia around the world.
Our lead news article describes a collaborative effort by the Australian Government, Diabetes Australia and healthcare providers to implement an eye screening program for people living with diabetes. The aim, of course, is to reduce vision loss and blindness in people with diabetes.
Our lead story celebrates the first optometry graduates to emerge from university in Uganda. The young optometrists are the building blocks for a sustainable eye care service in their country, which has a population of around 39.5 million people currently serviced by just 45 ophthalmologists. It has taken a combined effort by the Optometrists Association of Uganda, World Council of Optometry, Brien Holden Vision Institute, Makerere University and the Government to get the optometry course off the ground.
Back in Australia, Optometry Victoria and the Optical Distributors and Manufacturers Association recently announced that next year they will combine the Southern Regional Congress and ODMA’s biannual fair to deliver O=Mega19. At a time when the industry is awash with exhibitions and conferences, there is no doubt that this is good news for prospective exhibitors and delegates alike.
Meanwhile Optometry Australia has been drawing on OA members, ophthalmologists, suppliers, and other stakeholders to map out and plan for the future of optometry.
Collaboration is all around us and yet there is room for more. That’s because with collaboration in place, people are more trusting of each other, more empowered to contribute and innovate, and more likely to deliver incredible results.
I’m looking forward to the future.
