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Research

Refugees and People Seeking Asylum are a vulnerable population and their integration into the Australian community holds many challenges.

Blindness and vision impairment can dramatically affect a person’s ability to integrate into a new community and vision outcomes are dependent on sufficient access to health and eyecare services.

Research will be conducted into eye care services available to refugees and people seeking asylum in NSW, which will examine the community support, referral to eye care services, barriers to accessing eye care and facilitators to improve access and utilisation. This research will aid the development of appropriate and accessible eye care services refugees and people seeking asylum in NSW.

Biography

An Optometrist working in independent practice in Rockdale, Sydney and working with the Brien Holden Foundation in indigenous eye care in rural and regional NSW. Participation in aid work to Sri Lanka and Nepal and as a clinical supervisor in the UNSW Optometry Clinic. Also involved in the provision of eye care services to Justice Health and Forensic Mental Health Network and Villawood Detention Centre.