Summary

This in-brief summarises the findings from the Eye health measures for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people 2025 report and the accompanying web report.

These reports bring together the latest available data on the 22 eye health measures for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (First Nations) people with ongoing data collections (see the following table: ‘Eye health measures for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’). The data for these measures provide information on:

  • the prevalence and causes of vision loss and blindness
  • detection and screening of eye diseases and vision problems
  • eye health treatment services
  • the eye health workforce and outreach and other programs.

During the reporting years, there have been notable improvements in:

  • trachoma prevalence in at-risk First Nations communities
  • annual health assessments for First Nations people and health assessments for First Nations people with an initial eye examination
  • eye examinations by an eye health professional
  • rates of screening for diabetic retinopathy
  • hospitalisations for cataract surgery
  • the number and full-time equivalent (FTE) rates of optometrists
  • occasions of service provided under the Visiting Optometrist Scheme and the Medical Outreach Indigenous Chronic Disease Program for eye health care.

Waiting times for elective cataract surgery appear to have worsened as waiting times have increased.