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Friday, 18 October, 2013
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MOVIE, MOTORCLASSICA TICKET GIVEAWAYS - P2 Start it or you’ll go blind, pilot program tells city
Doyle backs Lyons
By JOHN VAN KLAVEREN A HIGH risk of blindness in Geelong has prompted a pilot eye test program in the city. Geelong is one of four areas across Victoria targeted for the Vision Initiative after a survey found that 42 per cent of respondents who noticed changed vision failed to obtain eye tests. The Victorian Population Health Survey also found that more than 44 per cent of Geelong region adults reported changed vision. Twenty-one per cent had never had an eye test and almost a quarter of respondents aged over 35 failed to have regular eye examinations. Victorian Health Minister David Davis said the pilot program aimed to deliver a coordinated approach at a local level to reduce avoidable vision loss and blindness. “The pilots will integrate into existing health systems and deliver training to GPs, pharmacists and practice nurses to improve identification of people at risk of eye disease and encourage them to have regular eye tests with an appropriate eye-health professional,” Mr Davis said. “What we learn from these pilots will inform a larger state-wide roll out in coming years.” Optometrist Rowan Prendergast said the risk factors in Geelong were preventable. Mr Prendergast said the highest risk group for avoidable vision loss included anyone aged over 40, smokers, diabetics, people with a family history of eye disease and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. “Eye tests are covered by Medicare and bulk billed, so there’s nothing to fear,” Mr Prendergast said. “People should realise that eye tests are part of their general health considerations.”
‘Wow factor’
By NOEL MURPHY
THE EYES HAVE IT: Geoff Andrews undertakes an eye test at Waurn Ponds. 108011
Picture: REG RYAN
DARRYN Lyons has won powerful backing in his mayoral campaign, with Melbourne Lord Mayor Robert Doyle saying Geelong needed his “wow factor” over the “safe hands” of Frank Costa’s preferred candidate, Ken Jarvis. Cr Doyle, set to be Geelong Football Club’s number-one ticketholder next year, described flamboyant Mr Lyons as passionate, tough and relentless. The former paparrazi boss with a penchant for coloured mohawks was exactly what Geelong needed to boost its fortunes, Cr Doyle said. “Darryn is deeply committed, passionate and an absolutely fearless advocate for Geelong – I can’t speak highly enough of him. “I know Ken Jarvis and I have the highest regard for him. He’s very sound, super sound, and I have no complaints whatsoever about him but when I think of Melbourne I think of the businesses and people as my customers and the city as a pool of talent to help them – Darryn would bring a lot to that. “He won’t be a shrinking violet – he’ll be aggressive, tough and passionate about Geelong. He’s relentless, while Ken is a safe pair of hands.’’ Cr Doyle, who has lived and educated children in Geelong, said the mayor needed to be a salesman who would raise the city’s voice in every forum. “I’d love to see Geelong as a major voice on the Australian map because Geelong is a powerhouse and Darryn’s voice needs to put it on the national stage. We need passion, ability and a tough nut and, make no mistake, Darryn’s a toughie.” Mr Lyons told the Independent he was keen to work with Cr Doyle to emulate and build on City of Melbourne’s successes. “We need to bring our council together and work harder to implement all the good ideas Geelong has. We need to talk up Geelong and the wonderful place it is to live.”
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