Eye health measures for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people 2025: interactive data

The estimated number, and proportion of First Nations children in at-risk communities with active trachoma: Measure 1.3.1

Trachoma is an infectious disease of the eye. Repeated trachoma infections can result in scarring, in-turned eyelashes (trichiasis) and blindness if left untreated. Trachoma is found in some remote areas of Australia. Prevalence data are important for assessing the effectiveness of trachoma control activities.

Latest data and time trend

In 2024, there were 68 children aged 5–9 identified with active trachoma in the 86 communities screened for trachoma. The observed prevalence of active trachoma was 3.6% of 5–9-year-olds in the screened communities. Overall prevalence was 1.5% (Figure 8).

From 2007 to 2024 the national overall prevalence of trachoma in children aged 5–9 screened in all current and former at-risk communities fell from 14.3% to 1.5% (Figure 8). 

By jurisdiction

In 2024, the observed prevalence of active trachoma in children aged 5–9 in screened communities was 4.1% in Western Australian (12 children) and 4.9% in the Northern Territory (56 children). In South Australia no children were found with active trachoma. In Queensland, screening for trachoma was not undertaken in 2024 (Figure 9 – jurisdiction).