Every year, more than 70,000 patients rely on the expertise and compassionate care of Sydney Eye Hospital. For many, especially those living in regional and remote communities, accessing specialist eye care means facing enormous challenges — long travel, high costs, and the constant worry that help may not arrive in time.
One of those patients is John, a 31‑year‑old from near Wagga Wagga. John travels a 16‑hour round trip each month to receive the specialist follow‑up appointments he urgently needs. Like thousands of others across regional NSW, he has no local access to Sydney Eye Hospital clinicians and must continue making this journey to protect his sight.
“Local Sydney Eye Hospital appointments would remove the hassle and help so many others too.” — John
Thanks to the generosity of Sydney Eye Hospital Foundation supporters, John received travel and accommodation assistance through the Critical Care Program, making those sight‑saving appointments possible. But for many patients, the barrier remains.
But with your help, we can change that.
Introducing Tele‑Vision: a new way to deliver specialist eye care
Sydney Eye Hospital is in the early stages of developing Tele‑Vision, an innovative approach to delivering expert eye care closer to regional communities. Using high‑resolution imaging equipment, Tele‑Vision will enable Emergency Department clinicians to securely send detailed eye images directly to Sydney Eye Hospital specialists.
This means patients could receive faster assessments, earlier diagnosis, and better treatment recommendations — often without the need to travel.
Thanks to generous Foundation donors, Tele‑Vision now has dedicated leadership in place to drive this vital program forward. The next and most urgent step is securing high‑definition cameras for regional hospitals that connect with technology at Sydney Eye Hospital — the essential technology will enable patients in regional areas to receive specialist eye care locally, without needing to travel long distances.
While early progress is underway, Tele‑Vision is a major, multi‑stage project, and additional funding is now critical to move from planning to piloting. With your support, we can commit to purchasing the specialised imaging equipment that will connect regional Emergency Departments directly with Sydney Eye Hospital.
This is where community support is vital.
What your Easter gift will help make possible
The Sydney Eye Hospital Foundation is seeking donor support to fund the equipment and resources needed to bring Tele‑Vision to life.
Your generosity will help Sydney Eye Hospital to:
- Purchase Tele‑Vision imaging cameras for regional Emergency Departments, starting with the South Coast
- Prepare and equip regional sites, in collaboration with local health districts
- Expand future rollouts statewide, connecting more regional communities, improving access to specialist care for thousands.
Once the technology is in place, Tele‑Vision will reduce unnecessary hospital transfers, improve early detection of serious eye conditions, and help patients receive the care they need closer to home.
For people like John, and so many others, this would be life‑changing.
A message from John
John shares a short video expressing his gratitude—and explaining why Tele‑Vision matters deeply to regional patients.
“You helped me get to Sydney when I needed it most. Now, together, we can bring specialist care closer to home for others like me.” — John
Seeing Into the Future: Major Fundraising Dinner – 22 May
To support this important initiative, the Foundation is also hosting its annual fundraising dinner.
The event brings together clinicians, supporters, and community leaders united by a shared commitment to protecting sight and strengthening eye care across NSW.
You can help bring sight‑saving care closer to home
Your gift will support Sydney Eye Hospital to take the next critical step in developing Tele‑Vision — bringing world‑class care within reach for patients across regional NSW.
Donate today and help make specialist eye care more accessible than ever.
