Overview

Eye health conditions are very common in Australia, and may be present from birth, as a result of illness or injury, or developed over time due to ageing. Eye health conditions can have a profound impact on a person’s quality of life and ability to perform everyday activities.

Over 13 million Australians (55%) reported having at least one long-term vision disorder in 2017–18.
957,933 Medicare claims for all surgical operations by an ophthalmologist in 2017–18.
Median wait time for elective cataract surgery was 159 days for First Nations people and 118 days for non-Indigenous Australians.
9.4 million Medicare claims for optometrist consultations for 7.2 million patients in 2017–18.

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Latest findings

The prevalence of active trachoma in children aged 5–9 in at-risk communities fell from 15% in 2009 to 1.5% in 2024

First Nations people who had a diabetes test and eye examination rose, 36% (2016–17) to 43% (2023–24), age adjusted

First Nations cataract surgery rate increased from 6,530 in 2016–17 to 8,849 per million in 2023–24, age adjusted

Over 13 million Australians had one or more chronic (long-term) eye conditions in 2017–18

In 2017–18, long-term vision disorders affected 93% of people aged 65 and over

Females (59%) experienced a higher prevalence of long-term vision disorders than males (51%) in 2017–18