Ngaaminya Project: A First Nations-led project mapping Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community expectations of good eye health for children 

Vision loss has substantial implications on the health, lives and economies of affected individuals (Burton et al. 2021) The life course impacts of preventable vision loss are widespread with kids and older people most affected. It is estimated that by the year 2050, 1.8 billion people globally will have untreated preventable vision loss with the most disadvantaged to be the most affected and impacted. (Kuehn 2021).  

In the Australian context, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population estimates set to reach one million by the year 2030 and as a result, it is anticipated that there will be an increased eye health and vision care service gap in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities. (Gillor & Anjou 2022) Proactive approaches are needed now to ensure First Nations people can have access to the services that are needed to enjoy long, healthy and thriving lives.  

The Ngaaminya Project aims to give Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children the best start at life and offset potential future preventable vision loss by understanding community perspectives of good eye health and vision care and the needs for effective services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. This work will contribute to a broader strategy of building Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander self-determined models of care where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural knowledge, principles and perspectives are made central to the design and delivery of services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.