Post by Banker on Mar 16, 2012 7:56:24 GMT 7
A DISTRAUGHT pensioner, who says she cannot afford basic eyewear anymore, after the state government cut funding to the VisionCare scheme, believes she is now being fast tracked to blindness.
She suffers from hereditary macular degeneration which has embedded itself behind her eyes.
In order to combat the severe muscle deterioration she must wear prescription lenses which cost upwards of $300 per pair.
The local woman, who wishes to remain anonymous, says she received no notification the scheme was being discontinued and no offer of support or rebate from the government.
And with her only source of income being a Centrelink welfare payment, she says she barely has enough money to buy groceries each week let alone prescription eyewear.
She is just one of thousands expected to be hit hardest by the state government’s cost cutting measure. In an attempt to save more than $8.4 million from the budget, Community Services Minister Pru Goward announced the VisionCare scheme would be suspended from February 29 to July 1 this year.
It is believed that the maximum capacity for the eyewear scheme under the budget had been reached.
Pensioners, low income earners and those with disabilities on social welfare benefits, declared with vision impairment, were able to receive free eyewear, or other visual aids, through a certified optometrist.
The anonymous woman who spoke with the Post said she had been using the scheme since its inception and was only alerted to the change when she went to upgrade her three-year-old lenses.
Scratch marks, light stains described as “the bottom of a milk bottle” effect and loose screws are all signs that the frames are inadequate. But at the moment it’s an expense she simply cannot afford.
“After I pay my rent, my electricity, my phone and all my household expenses I’m left with $150 a fortnight for groceries,” she said.
“How am I expected to then have enough money to get glasses? I suppose I’ll just have to go without. It is my only option.
goo.gl/Fdc30
She suffers from hereditary macular degeneration which has embedded itself behind her eyes.
In order to combat the severe muscle deterioration she must wear prescription lenses which cost upwards of $300 per pair.
The local woman, who wishes to remain anonymous, says she received no notification the scheme was being discontinued and no offer of support or rebate from the government.
And with her only source of income being a Centrelink welfare payment, she says she barely has enough money to buy groceries each week let alone prescription eyewear.
She is just one of thousands expected to be hit hardest by the state government’s cost cutting measure. In an attempt to save more than $8.4 million from the budget, Community Services Minister Pru Goward announced the VisionCare scheme would be suspended from February 29 to July 1 this year.
It is believed that the maximum capacity for the eyewear scheme under the budget had been reached.
Pensioners, low income earners and those with disabilities on social welfare benefits, declared with vision impairment, were able to receive free eyewear, or other visual aids, through a certified optometrist.
The anonymous woman who spoke with the Post said she had been using the scheme since its inception and was only alerted to the change when she went to upgrade her three-year-old lenses.
Scratch marks, light stains described as “the bottom of a milk bottle” effect and loose screws are all signs that the frames are inadequate. But at the moment it’s an expense she simply cannot afford.
“After I pay my rent, my electricity, my phone and all my household expenses I’m left with $150 a fortnight for groceries,” she said.
“How am I expected to then have enough money to get glasses? I suppose I’ll just have to go without. It is my only option.
goo.gl/Fdc30
Rant over. 