LEHP - Lions Eye Health Program

Australian Lions & The Centre for Eye Research Australia working with the community to reduce the incidence and impact of vision loss.

LEHP-Australia gives us the opportunity to enhance awareness of avoidable vision loss through the promotion of regular eye examinations that can detect prevalent eye disease.

The Centre for Eye Research Australia and Access Economics estimate that the total cost of vision disorders in Australia was $9.85 billion in 2004. This cost will increase over the next 20 years relative to demographic changes.

By 2024 the number of Australians with a vision impairment will increase to around 800,000 unless action is taken now.

• 75% of all vision impairment is caused by five conditions, which are often preventable or treatable.
• More than one million Australians have diabetes and all are at risk of diabetic eye disease.
• 210,000 Australians, over 40 years of age, have glaucoma.

While diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma result in permanent vision loss if left untreated vision loss can be avoided if these conditions are detected early enough.

With funding from the Lions Clubs International Foundation, SightFirst Program, and with support from the Centre for Eye Research Australia, Diabetes Australia and Glaucoma Australia, the Lions Clubs of Australia have, since 2000, accepted the challenge to motivate members of their local communities to protect themselves against diabetic eye disease, glaucoma and other preventable eye disease through regular comprehensive eye examinations.

The Lions Eye Health Program - Australia operates in all Lions Districts across Australia. It is supported with promotional materials developed by the Centre for Eye Research Australia, including educational videos on both diabetic eye disease and glaucoma.

A comprehensive training program and resource kit is provided to all participating Lions Clubs and other community organizations. Promotional materials are available for use by Lions, community health providers and other organizations in seven languages. Regular information updates and on-going support is also provided by the National Program Manager and State and District LEHP Co Ordinators.

For further information please contact:

John Simpson
National Program Manager LEHP-Australia
Telephone: 1800 010 234
Email: LEHP-cera@unimelb.edu.au

The Lions Eye Health Program has produced a number of brochures on different eye conditions that can be found under publications