Uncle Jimmy helping others to see what he sees

A Yolngu man who recently had his eyesight restored after nearly a decade of vision impairment is encouraging others in his community to seek eye care. Find out why.

A Yolngu man who recently had his eyesight restored after nearly a decade of vision impairment is encouraging others in his community to seek eye care. Picture: Michael Amendolia

A Yolngu man who recently had his eyesight restored after nearly a decade of vision impairment is encouraging others in remote communities to seek eye care.

For nearly a decade, Uncle Jimmy, a 69-year-old Yolngu man from Darwin, had severe vision impairment caused by cataracts, a condition he referred to as “smoky eye”.

Cataract is one of the leading causes of vision impairment among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, with nearly 70 per cent of those who need the surgery yet to receive a diagnosis.

Mr Jimmy referred to his condition as “smoky eye”. Picture: Michael Amendolia

Once an avid reader, Mr Jimmy’s deteriorating vision forced him to give up one of his greatest joys: reading the newspaper to his community.

Through the support of The Fred Hollows Foundation and its Territory-based partner Deadly Vision, Mr Jimmy underwent cataract surgery performed by Australia’s first Aboriginal ophthalmologist Kris Rallah-Baker.

Mr Jimmy has since become a passionate advocate for seeking eye care and surgery, using his experience to ease the nerves of others.

Mr Jimmy rocked the shades after his surgery. Picture: Michael Amendolia

“I explain to people all the time what happens in the surgery, both before and after … and make people feel at ease and have a laugh”, he said.

“It’s the fear of the unknown, fear of hospitals, and the eyes are really sensitive, they can cause a lot of pain.

“I try to be a messenger and speak about my experience so they get the real story.”

Dr Kris Rallah-Baker and Mr Jimmy. Picture: Michael Amendolia

The foundation’s Indigenous Australia program is working to change the reality by funding outreach clinics, providing surgeries, and training local health workers and supporting Indigenous-led eye health initiatives – particularly in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

In 2024, the foundation’s Indigenous Australia program screened more than 15,000 people, performed more than 3,000 eye operations and treatments and distributed more than 3000 pairs of glasses.

Dr Rallah-Baker and Mr Jimmy at an eye appointment. Picture: Michael Amendolia

In the Territory, the foundation partners with several organisations to improve access to eye care in regional areas including the Barkly region, Darwin and Tennant Creek.

Dr Rallah-Baker said it was donations that made Mr Jimmy’s surgery possible.

“It’s generous every day Australians who have helped people like Uncle Jimmy receive the critical eye care they need”, he said.

“We can and want to do more.

“Every donation will contribute to supporting essential eye health services that will change lives, families and communities.”

Originally published as Uncle Jimmy helping others to see what he sees