Bulletin

Issue: July 2004

News

Visual Health in Alice Springs

La Trobe University final year orthoptics student, Maria Kolic, believes her clinical experience in Alice Springs may have changed her entire career outlook.

After three weeks at the Alice Springs Hospital Eye Clinic, she believes helping alleviate eye problems of the Aboriginal population may become a significant part of her professional life.

Her stay in Central Australia was a routine third-year clinical placement - but its effect on her, both professionally and personally, was anything but routine.

'Like many Australians, particularly the children of migrants, I was unaware of a totally different Australia in the outback and the effects of cultural differences between indigenous and other Australians in relation to many things, particularly health care,' she says.

Ms Kolic described her experiences recently at the Orthoptic Clinical Education Conference.

'I also found that there were cultural and language barriers to the efficient administration of health care. I came away convinced that despite the dedicated work being done in Aboriginal health care, much research was required into Aboriginal perceptions of, and compliance with, health care initiatives.'

At the Eye Clinic she worked with indigenous and non-indigenous staff to detect and treat diabetic retinopathy, a condition where changes to blood vessels in the retina at the back of the eye can lead to irreversible reduction in vision.

It is a widespread problem around Alice Springs where between 20 and 50 per cent of the indigenous population has diabetes. Its prevalence is much higher and it has an earlier onset than among non-indigenous Australians. Studies on diabetic retinopathy in indigenous communities point to between 21 and 31 per cent of diabetics having the condition.

Ms Kolic said that treatment was by laser, but the procedure often had adverse effects. The real answer was prevention, which meant patients must control their blood sugar levels.

'This is where culture and language enters the equation because they involve Aboriginal values, customs and comprehension of a wide range of aspects, including that of correct diets and hygiene,' she said.

back to top

back contents next