Dr Nag Rao ahead of his public lecture at UWA.
Up to 90% of vision loss can be prevented or treated with early detection, yet every 65 minutes someone in Australia loses part, or all, of their sight.1,2 The eye care sector is under immense strain, grappling with an ageing population, increasing rates of chronic conditions, and systemic inefficiencies, including long waitlists and workforce shortages. Without effective intervention, these challenges will continue to leave preventable vision loss untreated.
Collaboration between optometrists and ophthalmologists offers a transformative path forward. Leveraging the expertise of both professions can streamline care delivery, enhance efficiency, and ensure high-quality, patient-centred systems. The University of Western Australia (UWA) is at the forefront of this effort, setting new benchmarks in education, research, and clinical practice through a commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration. The UWA 2030 Vision drives the University’s focus on uniting expertise to transform healthcare systems and improve patient outcomes.
Effective eye care relies on collaboration, with optometrists and ophthalmologists combining their strengths to improve accessibility, reduce inefficiencies, and deliver timely, targeted treatment. Recognising the transformative impact of this approach, UWA is working with LV Prasad Eye Institute in India and Hai Yen Eye Care in Vietnam to improve eye health outcomes worldwide.
In a recent interview, Dr Nag Rao, world-renowned ophthalmologist and founder of the LV Prasad Eye Institute, explained how LV Prasad’s pyramidal model, where optometrists and ophthalmologists work closely at various levels, is revolutionising eye care in India.
Through this model Dr Rao said, “we have developed a system that eliminates redundancies and ensures seamless care”.
“When these professionals bring their unique skills to the table, the continuum of care thrives. Collaboration between optometrists and ophthalmologists has enhanced efficiency, conserved resources, and expanded access to care, particularly in underserved communities.”
Joining the discussion, Dr Huy Tran, Senior Lecturer at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City and Senior Ophthalmologist of Hai Yen Eye Care, shared compelling examples of collaboration addressing critical healthcare needs in Vietnam. Dr Tran explained that with nearly half of school-aged children affected by myopia, the demand for care is overwhelming yet “through close collaboration between optometrists and ophthalmologists, with clear communication and shared responsibilities, we have streamlined services and reduced delays”.
“This partnership is especially impactful in rural areas, where optometrists provide early detection and management, preventing complications and easing the burden on tertiary care centres.”
Dr Tran acknowledged the “expert academics and clinician scientists from UWA” who are helping the Hai Yen Eye Care and Hanoi Eye Hospital to develop evidence-based protocols and scientific research proposals to implement and evaluate the programmes.
Global successes such as these underscore the potential of collaborative systems to address diverse healthcare challenges. And inspired by these models, Australia can adapt similar strategies to meet the nation’s evolving needs.
UWA’s faculty does not just discuss collaboration – they live it
UWA: A Global Leader in Collaborative Care
By teaming up with renowned institutions, such as the Lions Eye Institute (LEI) in Perth, the LV Prasad Eye Institute, and Hai Yen Eye Care and Hanoi Eye Hospital, UWA is demonstrating its commitment to advancing global eye care through collective innovation and diversified expertise.
Commending UWA’s hands-on approach, Dr Tran said, “UWA’s faculty does not just discuss collaboration – they live it. Their willingness to visit Vietnam, understand our challenges, and work alongside us shows a genuine commitment to improving global eye care.”
It’s a commitment that is also providing valuable education for students who gain hands-on experience through international placements.
“Through our partnerships in India and Vietnam, students witness the challenges of limited access to care and the transformative impact of collaborative models,” explained Associate Professor Dr Khyber Alam, Head of the Department of Optometry and Vision Science at UWA. “In rural India, they see high pathology rates due to limited access, and in major cities, they witness world-class treatment. These experiences build empathy, resilience, and a deeper understanding of global health.”
He said to equip graduates for real-world collaboration, UWA emphasises practical, interdisciplinary training.
“Our students work not just with optometrists – they’re placed alongside dentists, audiologists, GPs, and nurses. In Vietnam, they are supervised by ophthalmologists. They collaborate with ophthalmologists, optometrists, and allied health professionals in India. These placements prepare them to excel in environments where teamwork is essential.”
As a current optometry student at UWA, I have experienced first hand the transformative power of the programme’s interdisciplinary approach. It has opened the door to incredible opportunities, including observing surgeries, attending insightful lectures by esteemed optometrists and ophthalmologists, and participating in health service trips to some of Australia’s most remote communities. These experiences in highly collaborative environments have refined my clinical skills and ignited a passion for advocating integrated care models. I am confident that this training will equip me to graduate as a well-rounded, skilled, and compassionate clinician.
Driving Innovation Through Research
Collaboration drives both clinical care and pioneering research. For Dr Tran, this is exemplified by UWA’s ongoing research partnership with Hai Yen Eye Care, which focusses on addressing the rising prevalence of myopia in Asia.
“The research projects we are developing with UWA aim to solve real-world problems like myopia management. Together, we are exploring novel methods of myopia control that could have a significant global impact and improve the lives of millions,” Dr Tran said.
UWA is also developing innovative models of care for glaucoma co-management alongside globally renowned clinician-scientist Professor Bill Morgan from LEI. Current public health outpatient services provide excellent care for complex and emergency cases but are not optimal for high volume, high throughput chronic conditions.
Assoc Prof Alam hopes the model being developed will enable patients who do not need surgical interventions to be managed by optometrists in collaboration with ophthalmologists, demonstrating “the power of leveraging each profession’s strengths to benefit the patient”.
Doing so will enhance efficiencies by optimising the involvement and expertise of optometrists, and maximising ophthalmologists’ time-value without reducing care quality. Additionally, it will upskill optometrists that are part of the co-managed triage model and increase capacity for treatment of public patients.
A Vision for the Future
UWA’s leadership in fostering interdisciplinary collaboration provides the foundation to transform Australia’s eye care system. By integrating education, research, and clinical care, the University is addressing current challenges while preparing the next generation of professionals to thrive in team-based environments. Assoc Prof Alam envisions a “future of healthcare (built on) collaboration”.
“As the population ages and the burden of chronic diseases grows, no single profession can manage it all. Working together is not just an option – it is a necessity. I see a time when optometry and ophthalmology are seamlessly integrated into a public health system that prioritises the patient above all else,” he said.
And for Dr Rao, this vision extends to the global stage where the “future of global eye care lies in comprehensive systems integrating prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation”.
“Leveraging talent, technology, and tenderness – the 3T formula – will be key to success. Systems must address both current needs and future challenges,” he stressed.
A Call to Action
The future of eye care depends on breaking down barriers and fostering true collaboration. Optometrists and ophthalmologists worldwide should embrace co-management models, support interdisciplinary education initiatives, and engage in research partnerships at every opportunity. To address today’s challenges, the global eye care community must come together. United, the eye care sector can set new standards of excellence to ensure no patient is left behind.
Jayden Simpson is the President of Optometry Students Western Australia and a third-year student in the Doctor of Optometry programme at UWA. Passionate about academic governance, he is the student representative for his cohort and serves on the Optometry Programme Advisory Board and Allied Health Learning and Teaching Committee. Dedicated to equity in healthcare, he also contributes as the Recruitment Coordinator for Equal Health, promoting accessible care for all.
References
- Burton MJ, Ramke J, Jones I, et al. The Lancet Global Health Commission on Global Eye Health: Vision beyond 2020. Lancet Glob Health. 2021;9(4):e489-e551. doi: 10.1016/S2214-109X(20)30488-5.
- Foreman J, Keel S, Dirani M, et al. The National Eye Health Survey 2016 report. Melbourne: Vision 2020 Australia. Available at: vision2020australia.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/National-Eye-Health-Survey_Full-Report_FINAL.pdf [accessed Jan 2025].
