Funding focuses on eye care

Thousands of Victorians will get subsidised multifocal spectacles as a result of Government funding, says Aged Care Minister Bronwyn Pike.

The Government has committed an additional $50,000 to provide progressive power spectacle and contact lenses, or multifocals, to people on low incomes.

Ms Pike said increasing numbers of Victorians with age-related failing vision were opting for multifocals over ‘ordinary’ bifocals—but multifocals were slightly more expensive.

‘This additional $50,000 commitment means that 3,400 country Victorians who previously had only the option of bifocals or paying private fees for multifocals will now be able to receive multifocals at a relatively low cost,’ Ms Pike said.

‘The same arrangements will apply for metropolitan Melbourne patients of the Victorian Eyecare Service,’ she said.

Since opening in 1985, the VES—with Government funding through the Victorian College of Optometry—has provided eye care and glasses to around 800,000 new patients.

Last year, 118 VES outlets in 77 towns and cities helped a total of 64,000 people.