'Friends of ACO Eye Health' offers organisations a new way to support outreach optometry care
The ACO has launched Friends of ACO Eye Health, a new program created specifically for optometry practices, ophthalmology practices and other optical organisations to support ACO Eye Health’s outreach eye care services across Victoria.
With the help of optometry leaders, Friends of ACO Eye Health was created in response to expressed interest in supporting ACO Eye Health’s outreach services. Separate to Membership or general donations, this new initiative provides a range of opportunities to showcase your role as a Friend of ACO Eye Health with customers, staff and peers.
Friends of ACO Eye Health offers four tiers of annual support starting from just $300, with all contributions being tax-deductible.
Helping deliver eye care to those most in need
Every day, too many Victorians are unable to access a simple eye test, something so many of us take for granted. The lack of access impacts not only their vision but can have adverse effects on overall health and wellbeing.
ACO Eye Health’s Outreach services exist to bridge this gap, bringing eye care directly to people that face the greatest barriers to eye care. Each year our team care for more than 3,800 individuals across over 300 sites, from metro Melbourne and across regional Victoria, reaching people experiencing homelessness, people living with disability, First Nations communities, refugees, survivors of family violence and others in need.
But reaching those who need us the most is increasingly challenging. Cost of providing care has risen to more than double what it was in 2018 and community demand is continuing to grow. Each week, ACO Eye Health’s outreach team receive requests for care that cannot be fulfilled due to limited funding.
Welcoming ACO Eye Health's first Friend
Seekers, an optometry practice in Fitzroy, joined ACO Eye Health as its first Friend in October. As a Friend, Seekers is directly supporting the delivery of outreach optometry services across Victoria, helping make quality eye care and glasses accessible to everyone, no matter their background or circumstance.
Josephine Li (ACO), Jayson Stone (Seekers), Kye O’Donnell (Seekers) and Tracy Tran (ACO) at Seekers.
How to sign up as a Friend of ACO Eye Health
Practices interested in learning more about Friends of ACO Eye Health or signing up can find further information here.
For questions regarding out Outreach services or Friend of ACO Eye Health program, please reach out to [email protected].
