eyesmart.com.au

The Fred Hollows Foundation and Specsavers have joined forces on a new project that will raise funds to help Close the Gap on vision loss between Indigenous and mainstream Australians.

Aboriginal artist Langaliki Langaliki – who has undergone two sight-saving operations – has given permission for her Ngura work to feature on limited edition frames. The South Australian artist lives in Pukatja, 435 kilometres south west of Alice Springs, and paints in the colourful and dramatic style for which the Ernabella region is famous. Regaining her sight has given Langaliki the confidence to leave her aged care home to spend time with her family and concentrate on her art.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults are six times more likely than other Australians to go blind, even though their children have better vision than the mainstream population. The Fred Hollows Foundation's founding director, Gabi Hollows, has welcomed the latest project.