Pioneering Mater eye program saves sight of Straddie native title hero Ian Delaney
A revolutionary program for First Nations people at a Springfield Hospital has restored the sight to Quandamooka elder Ian Delaney, a key figure in the native title determination for Stradbroke Island-Minjerribah.
Redlands Coast
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A Quandamooka elder, known for his role in the native title determination for North Stradbroke Island-Minjerribah, is among 30 near-blind patients who have regained vision after cataract procedures at an Ipswich Hospital.
Minjerribah's Ian Delaney, 70, was struggling with deteriorating sight for years.
Cataracts had significantly affected his ability to see, making everyday tasks difficult.
The prospect of losing his sight entirely was a constant worry until he learned about the cataract program to save the sight of First Nations people.
It is run by the Institute for Urban Indigenous Health at the Mater Private Hospital Springfield.
Mr Delaney was the successful native title applicant in the landmark 2011 Consent Determination for the Quandamooka People in the Federal Court.
The seminal case won recognition of the Quandamooka traditional ownership and rights over their ancestral lands.
After undergoing the procedure, Mr Delaney said he experienced a dramatic improvement in his vision and could see clearly again.
It not only restored his independence, but also allowed him to reconnect with his cultural heritage.
Being able to see the intricate details of traditional Quandamooka art and the natural beauty of his homeland was a deeply emotional experience for him.
Similarly, Gordon Cowburn’s life was transformed by the cataract surgery at Mater Private Hospital Springfield.
As a respected Wakka Wakka elder, Mr Cowburn’s role in his community is vital but his failing vision had been a source of great distress.
It hindered the 75-year-old’s ability to perform cultural ceremonies and share his knowledge with younger generations.
Post-procedure, Mr Cowburn’s vision improved remarkably.
He was once again take an active role in his community, participating in cultural activities and ensuring that the traditions and stories of the Wakka Wakka people continue to be passed down.
More than 1000 operations to restore sight for First Nations Queenslanders have been completed thanks to the unique partnership at Springfield.
Institute for Urban Indigenous Health optometrists and the Aboriginal community Controlled Health Services work together to identify eligible patients with Mater clinicians and Queensland Health.
Patients are operated on at Mater Private Hospital Springfield by Mater Hospital Brisbane Director of Ophthalmology Dr Sunil Warrier and fellow specialist ophthalmologist Dr Jon Farrah.
“We know a lot of First Nations people lose their vision around the age of 50 to 60 years, a lot earlier than caucasian people, who tend to be around the age of 60 to 70,” Dr Warrier said.
The Cataract Pathway program began in 2016 and oversees about 150 publicly funded operations a year.
Institute for Urban Indigenous Health chief executive Adrian Carson said the program improved access for Southeast Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and delivered pre and post-operative care, transport and personal support on the day of surgery, at no additional cost to the healthcare system.
Mr Carson said accessing surgery for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients was previously a story of long waitlists and repetition of appointments.
“Without the support of their local community-controlled clinic, it is unlikely these patients would have seen an optometrist or made it onto a waitlist,” he said.
“By working collaboratively across the region and health system to ensure our people are diagnosed and well supported before, through and after treatment, we have reduced demand on the system since patients can be treated earlier, supporting better long-term health and community outcomes.”
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