Pushing for eye checks for all Kiwis back row, LR Pushkar Silwal EHA board member, Brigid Hitchcock EHA, MP Sam Uffindel, Dr Francesc March de Ribot EHA board member, Dr Rebekah Graham Parents of Vision Impaired NZ front row GNZs Pippa Martin EHA trustee, Kāpō Māori Aotearoas Chrissie Cowan EHA co-chair, Inhae Park EHA trustee, MDNZs Sarah Berman EHA trustee and Dianne Roger EHA

Marking World Sight Day, Eye Health Aotearoa (EHA) brought eye health to the heart of the New Zealand Government with a clear message: eye checks save sight.

In Parliament’s Grand Hall, Jacob Hong from Specsavers Lower Hutt screened the eyes of 164 participants, uncovering a range of undiagnosed eye conditions. “The screening outcomes were a powerful reminder of the importance of early detection and why we need to do all we can to ensure eyecare services are as accessible as possible,” Hong said.

The day culminated in an evening event, hosted by the Parliamentary Friends of Eye Health co-chairs, MPs Sam Uffindell and Dr Ayesha Verrall, drawing over 80 attendees from across the eye-health sector. Ophthalmologists, optometrists, industry leaders, cross-party MPs and people with lived experience of vision loss gathered to share insights and advocate for improved access to eyecare.

Presenting the National Eye Health Clinical Network’s five-point advocacy strategy, Dr Justin Mora said: “Our strategy is simple but powerful. First, we need a national eye health plan to guide coordinated action. Second, affordable access to eye exams and glasses must be a priority – cost should never be a barrier to sight. Third, early detection is critical to prevent lifelong vision loss and support learning success, especially for children. Fourth, we must address workforce shortages and regional inequities to ensure care is available where it’s needed. And fifth, we need to improve vision rehabilitation so that those with vision loss can live full, independent lives.”

The evening also featured personal stories, including one from Bronwyn Anderson that shared her journey with neovascular age-related macular degeneration and the profound impact of vision loss on her daily life.

Brandon Ah Tong, International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness Western Pacific Region chair and director of global policy and advocacy at The Fred Hollows Foundation, closed the evening with a call for action. “Preventative eyecare is not a luxury – it’s essential. We must invest in systems that allow every New Zealander to access timely, affordable eye checks. The cost of inaction is too great.”

Thanking its clinical and community partners, volunteers and supporters, EHA said: “Together with cross-party champions in Parliament, we are moving closer to a future where everyone in Aotearoa can enjoy the right to sight. Special thanks to Specsavers for providing free vision screening and to the sponsors of the event, RANZCO and Zeiss.”

Building on this momentum, EHA said it will work with the Parliamentary Friends of Eye Health network to sustain awareness and policy focus.