Along the Stuart Highway, heading south to Katherine, back burning is evident. After a bit of rain, the bush seems to regenerate instantly providing a dramatic back drop of vibrant green against black burnt tree trunks and red earth – a part of the visual spectacle that makes the Northern Territory like no other.

In Katherine, the Wurli Wulinjang Health Service is a successful Aboriginal Medical Service that provides the Katherine community and surrounding areas with accessible, culturally appropriate medical care.

Robyn is a Katherine local. After a car accident that lead to the removal of her left eye in 2004, further damage to her right eye has left her close to blind.

Robyn hadn’t visited the Wurli Eye Clinic until recently when she met Regional Eye Health Coordinator, Dot Butler and visiting ICEE Optometrist and Aboriginal Eye Care Project Manager, Tricia Keys.

During an examination Tricia discovered the vision in Robyn’s right eye could be restored.

A smile that lit up the room spread across Robyn’s face - for the first time in years she was able to see.

As Regional Eye Health Coordinator this story is not uncommon to Dot. She is responsible for eye care of communities that cover an area from Katherine in the north to Lajamanu in the south and east to Borroloola, an area larger than some European countries. Some of these communities do not have access to regular eye care other than the service Dot provides.

“There is a long list of barriers that prevent millions worldwide, like Robyn, from getting access to an eye examination and the right pair of glasses, but not addressing a vision problem can have devastating consequences,” said Tricia.

“That’s why the work of Dot at Wurli Wurlinjang Health Service is so important,” she added.