How you can help a fellow Victorian in need this World Sight Day
$25
Essential eye care
Can help provide a sight-saving eye test to someone who may otherwise miss out on essential eye care.
$50
Eye care in a safe, familiar place
Can help our Outreach team deliver culturally safe eye care to people in supported, familiar settings.
$120
Glasses and Eye Tests for those in need
Can support essential eye tests and single-vision glasses for families doing it tough.
300+ sites
visited by our team
30 years
of experience working with vulnerable people
3500 people
reached through our outreach annually
Meet our patients
Caring for people experiencing homelessness
Wendy is currently unhoused and regularly attends the Salvation Army’s Project 614 site for meals and support. Living with diabetes, she understands the risks of permanent vision loss if she doesn’t have regular eye checks -- but seeing a regular optometrist simply costs too much. The ACO Eye Health’s Outreach clinic helps patients like Wendy access regular screening for early chronic eye diseases, without which, they would be at greater risk of preventable vision loss.
“[Without glasses] I get headaches, I get migraines; I’d probably end up in hospital.
If I can't see two feet in front of me, it's going to be a very difficult lifestyle and that's not the type of life I want to live. It's hard enough being homeless to be honest."
Caring for people living in Supported Residential Services
"At this time, we're looking after residents with complex health concerns, mental health issues, alcoholism, homelessness and schizophrenia. It is quite challenging, but I believe with the right people around, we can support them and provide the right care. I do notice [when they are struggling with vision]; they will fall and it’s difficult to see that. [With their glasses,] I can see them drawing, I can see them watching TV, but they're not squinting like they were before. They can play bingo now because they can see numbers!
Please don't stop coming, because it’s very important.”
A big thank you to our Supporters
By supporting us, our Outreach optometry services can reach underserved communities, including people experiencing homelessness, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, refugees and seekers of asylum, and others facing disadvantage in our communities.
Your tax-deductible donation to ACO Eye Health makes quality eye care accessible to all communities, no matter their background or circumstances.
Thank you from everyone at ACO Eye Health!
Our Outreach Partners
FAQs
Is our donation tax-deductible?
The Australian College of Optometry Ltd has Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) status, so any donations over $2 is tax deductible in Australia.
How will the donation be used?
Your donation will directly support the cost of delivering vital outreach eye care services to underserved communities, including people experiencing homelessness, First Nations Australians, refugees, and others facing disadvantage.
For more information you can read ACO's Fundraising and Donations Policy here
Where can we find the donation receipt?
A receipt will automatically be sent to the registered email as you make a donation. If you have not received it please contact our team on fundraising@aco.org.au
