For detailed information on eye health data sources, please refer to A guide to Australian eye health data. For other eye data resources, please check the links page.
National Hospital Morbidity Database
The NHMD allows researchers to look at the number and types of eye problems being treated in Australian hospitals. Although this may not accurately reflect the prevalence of some disorders, it can give a good indication of how common other disorders are (such as eye-related injuries).
Further information
National Mortality Database
Registration of deaths in Australia is the responsibility of the State and Territory Registrars of Births, Deaths and Marriages. Information on the cause of death is supplied by the medical practitioner certifying the death or by a coroner. Other information about the deceased is supplied by a relative or other person acquainted with the deceased or by an official institution where the death occurred. Registration of death is a legal requirement in Australia, and compliance is virtually complete. The Registrars provide deaths data to the ABS for coding and compilation into national statistics. The AIHW also holds these data without unique identifiers in a national mortality database.
Although deaths where eye problems are the underlying cause of death are relatively rare, eye problems are an associated cause of death in a few hundred cases each year.
Further information
National Health Survey
The NHS, conducted every 3 years by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, is designed to obtain national information on the health status of Australians, their use of health services and facilities, and health-related aspects of their lifestyle. The most recent survey was conducted in 2007-08 (with results due in 2009), with previous surveys being conducted in 2004-05, 2001, 1995, 1989-90, 1983 and 1977. The survey is community-based and does not include information from people living in non-private dwellings or institutions (such as nursing homes, hospitals or prisons).
Eye-related data available from the NHS include self-reported eye problems, glasses/contact lens use, and visits to optometrists. It should be noted that self-reported data probably underestimate some eye conditions, as many respondents may not be aware of problems.
Bettering the Evaluation and Care of Health Program
The BEACH program is a continuous national study of general practice activity in Australia. It uses details of about 100,000 encounters between GPs and patients (about 0.1% sample of all general practice encounters) from a random sample of approximately 1,000 recognised practising GPs from across the country. Each participating GP completes details for 100 consecutive GP-patient encounters on structured paper encounter forms. They each also provide information about themselves and their major practice.
Eye health data items include types of eye problems managed/diagnosed, treatments prescribed, referrals and risk factors.
Further information
Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) dataset
The MBS is part of the Medicare Benefits Scheme, the aim of which is to provide an entitlement to benefits for medical and hospital services for all Australian residents. These benefits are based on fees determined for each service provided. These services are itemised, forming the schedule of fees. Statistics on each item are collected when benefits are paid.
MBS items are particularly useful for looking at optometry services. However, Medicare data does not capture all such services provided in Australia, such as for ineligible persons or ineligible medical practitioners.
Further information
Blue Mountains Eye Study
Starting in 1992, the Blue Mountains Eye Study is a population-based survey providing clinical data for a sample of older Australians living in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney. There have been a number of follow-up studies conducted, most recently in 2007. The study is conducted by the Centre for Vision Research within the University of Sydney. The original study used a sample of 3,654 persons aged 49-97 years.
The study involves detailed eye assessments. Data is available for the prevalence of refractive disorders, cataract, glaucoma, macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy.
Further information