Indicator 3.6 Prevalence of vision loss caused by diabetes
Consideration
These estimates are based on relatively small numbers and are associated with large sampling error. Due to small numbers, age-standardised proportions were not derived.
Overview
Based on data from the 2017–18 ABS National Health Survey, it was estimated that 7.7% or 89,500 adults with self-reported diabetes had vision loss due to their diabetes (self-reported sight condition caused by diabetes).
Trends
There were no significant differences in the unadjusted prevalence of vision loss due to diabetes between 2001 (14.5%) and 2017–18 (7.7%) (Figure 3.6.1).
Age and sex
The prevalence of vision loss caused by diabetes was similar among men and women and across the age groups (Figure 3.6.1).
Population groups
The proportions for both remoteness and socioeconomic areas have a high margin of error and should be used with caution (Figure 3.6.2).
State and territory
The prevalence of vision loss due to diabetes in 2017–18 varied across the states and territories from 5.7% in Victoria to 11.9% in South Australia (Figure 3.6.2).
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
In 2018–19, an estimated 17.7% of Indigenous Australians with self-reported diabetes had vision loss as a result of the disease in the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Survey (NATSIHS). Based on estimates from the 2017–18 NHS, 7.6% of non-Indigenous Australians have vision loss due to their diabetes (Figure 3.6.2).
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