The number and proportion of First Nations people who were screened for diabetic retinopathy and had retinal laser treatment: Measure 3.7.1
The diabetic retinopathy treatment rate, expressed as the number of First Nations people who had a retinal laser procedure or an intravitreal injection who had also had a diabetes test as a proportion of those screened for diabetic retinopathy. First Nations people who were screened for diabetic retinopathy may not have been found to have diabetic retinopathy. For this reason, the rate of those treated for diabetic retinopathy may be an underestimate.
The timely treatment of diabetic retinopathy can prevent vision loss. Treatment generally involves injections into the eye or laser therapy (Figure 43 and Figure 44).
Latest data
In 2023–24, 581 First Nations people screened for diabetic retinopathy underwent treatment–3.6% of those screened. In 2023–24, the age‑standardised proportion treated was similar for First Nations people and non-Indigenous Australians (3.0% and 2.9%, respectively) (Figure 43).
Figure 43: Treated for diabetic retinopathy among those screened for diabetic retinopathy, 2023–24
vertical bar chart showing the age-standardised proportion of First Nations people and non-Indigenous Australians treated for diabetic retinopathy were similar.
Notes
- People screened for diabetic retinopathy are those who had a diabetes test (made a claim for MBS item 66551) within the reference period or the year before, who also had an eye exam by an optometrist or ophthalmologist within the reference period.
- People who had an eye exam by an optometrist are those who made a claim for MBS group A10, except items 10921–10930 within the reference period. People who had an eye exam by an ophthalmologist are those who made a claim for MBS group D1 subgroup 2 within the reference period.
- Medicare data presented by Indigenous status have been adjusted for the under-identification in the Medicare Voluntary Indigenous Identifier (VII) database.
- MBS data do not cover services provided in the public health system.
- Data are based on date of service.
Source: AIHW analysis of Medical Benefits Schedule data.
Explore more aspects of the data in the following section. See also Figure 44.
By remoteness
In 2023–24, the proportion of First Nations people who received treatment for diabetic retinopathy was highest in Inner regional and Outer regional areas (4.0% and 4.2%, respectively). The rate was lowest in Remote areas (1.8%) (Figure 44 – remoteness).
By jurisdiction
In 2023–24, the proportion of First Nations people who received treatment for diabetic retinopathy ranged from 2.5% in Queensland to 4.9% and 3.8% in New South Wales and Western Australia, respectively. Numbers and rates were not publishable in the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory (Figure 44 – jurisdiction).
By age and sex
In 2023–24, the number of First Nations males and females treated for diabetic retinopathy rose with age while the proportion treated fluctuated over time, peaking at 4.6% (101 males) in the 55–64 age group and 4.0% (117 females), in the 65 and over age group. A higher proportion of males than females underwent treatment in all age groups except those aged 45–54 where the proportion of males and females treated was the same (Figure 44 – population groups).
Time trend
Between 2014–15 and 2023–24, the number of First Nations people screened for diabetic retinopathy who underwent treatment fluctuated but increased overall, from 489 to 581. The proportion who underwent treatment was 3.3% in 2014–15 and 3.6% in 2023–24 (Figure 44 – time trend).
Figure 44: Treated for diabetic retinopathy among those screened for diabetic retinopathy: interactive data
See link to data tables following this image.
Downloadable data tables are available on Data.