A new centre opening in Sydney next month will offer free eye testing services to the general public.

The Centre For Eye Health (CFEH) is a $40 million joint initiative between Guide Dogs NSW/ACT and The University of New South Wales (UNSW).

It will aim to address the increasing incidence of vision impairment by improving the early detection of common eye diseases such as macular degeneration, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy.

Located at UNSW’s Kensington campus in Sydney’s east, CFEH will give people free access to the complete range of diagnostic equipment in the one location.

It will be staffed by oprometrists and consultant opthamologists who will provide integrated care.

The centre’s inaugural director is prominent vision researcher, Professor Michael Kalloniatis. 

“Vision loss comes at an enormous cost to the Australian community, yet 75 per cent of the conditions which cause irreversible vision loss can be prevented or at least minimised if diagnosed and treated early,” said Professor Kalloniatis.

“The problem is many conditions exhibit no obvious symptoms in their initial stages. It is therefore vital that the broader community has access to equipment with the ability to identify many conditions before they make their impact.”

Guide Dogs NSW/ACT chairman, Barry Stephen said the centre is the result of client consultation.

“They indicated their support for the expansion of our services into the area of prevention, in addition to the mobility and orientation services we have always offered,” he said.