Victorians with vision impairment waiting too long to seek help

New research released by Guide Dogs Australia ahead of World Sight Day tomorrow reveals Victorians are waiting too long to seek help when their eyesight begins to deteriorate, leading to increased risk of trips, falls, and loss of independence.

The national survey* of more than 600 respondents, which asked Australians who have low vision or are blind about their experience in seeking help, found more than half of Victorians waited too long before seeking assistance when they began to experience issues with their eyesight.

In fact, over a quarter of Victorians waited for more than a year before seeking help after first having problems with their vision, with 1 in 8 (13%) waiting for more than 5 years. Comparatively, on a national level, the survey showed 11% of Australians waited more than 10 years.

While many Victorians didn’t seek help because they didn’t feel they needed it (48%), almost a quarter (23%) didn’t know where to find help. Some respondents acknowledged it took time to realise that reduced vision was not normal, and for others, recognising they needed help was the most challenging part. Over half the respondents regretted not seeking help earlier.

While World Sight Day aims to create awareness around protecting your vision in the first place, it is just as important that people with untreatable vision loss seek the support they need early on in order to maintain their independence and safe wellbeing.

CEO of Guide Dogs Victoria Karen Hayes urged those having trouble with their sight to seek help immediately. For a person experiencing vision loss, waiting to get help can significantly impact the independence and their ability to live their life the way they want.

“Whether it’s having to rely on someone else to get to work or university, avoiding the shopping centre on a Saturday morning because it’s difficult to navigate the crowds or giving up going to the footy at the MCG, it can really have an impact on a person’s confidence and self-efficacy,” said Ms Hayes.

It doesn’t have to be that way – assistance from Guide Dogs Victoria can mean a world of difference.

“While training Guide Dogs is an important part of our work, our most common program is teaching people with a vision impairment how to safely move through different environments, using a range of mobility aids such as the long cane and electronic devices,” Ms Hayes said.

For some, it can take an incident such as a frightening near miss with traffic, or getting lost in a familiar place, such as the local shopping strip, to realise something needs to change and be a catalyst for seeking help.

“Each year our specialist staff work with people of all ages to help them achieve their mobility goals and realise their independence. We tailor our programs to meet the lifestyle needs of each individual, and most training is delivered locally, in the person’s home, community, school or work environment, at no cost,” she said.

“Guide Dogs Victoria is encouraging anyone in the community living with vision loss to seek help as soon as possible. No matter your level of vision loss – don’t delay seeking help” said Ms Hayes.

To address the findings, Guide Dogs organisations across the country are launching a national campaign, Don’t Delay, Seek Help Today, this week ahead of World Sight Day on October 13 and International White Cane Day on October 15, encouraging people who are experiencing issues with their vision to seek support sooner rather than later.

To find out more about the services offered by Guide Dogs Victoria, visit guidedogsvictoria.com.au.

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*Research methodology:

• 638 Guide Dogs Australia clientele, both Guide Dog handlers and those using other mobility aids, were surveyed, via telephone and online, across the nation
• A total of 79 of those surveyed were based in Victoria
• Survey participants were from a mix of regional and metro locations

Media enquiries:

• Georgia Harrison: 03 9268 7800 | 0423 617 372 | georgia@keepleft.com.au
• Jessie Csaplar: 03 9268 7800 | 0430 112 546 | jessie@keepleft.com.au

About World Sight Day:

Whilst World Sight Day focuses on addressing preventable vision loss through regular eye checks, it is just as vital for people with permanent vision loss to also seek the support they need early on as there are many things that can be done to assist them maintain an independent, healthy and safe lifestyle.

About International White Cane Day:

International White Cane Day marks the global day of celebration of independence and achievement of people who have low vision or blindness.

About Guide Dogs Victoria:

Guide Dogs Victoria is Australia’s largest and most successful breeder and trainer of Guide Dogs nationally, providing 75 per cent of Victoria’s Guide Dogs.

Guide Dogs Victoria is about so much more than Guide Dogs. The organisation also offers wider support to Victorians who have low vision or blindness through a suite of programs including Children/Youth Services, Adult Services, Acquired Brain Injury Mobility Services and Occupational Therapy Services.

Guide Dogs Victoria receives less than 9 per cent of Government funding for services other than Guide Dog Mobility, which is reliant on community donations exclusively.