This is the third annual report on the Indigenous eye health measures. The measures cover the prevalence of eye health conditions, diagnosis and treatment services, the eye health workforce and outreach services. The report examines differences between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians, as well as differences by factors such as age, sex, remoteness, jurisdiction and lower level geographies. The report provides an evidence base for monitoring changes in Indigenous eye health over time, access to and use of eye health services, and for identifying gaps in service delivery.

Indigenous eye health measures 2018: in brief is a companion to this report.

Findings from this report:
  • The prevalence of active trachoma in children aged 5–9 in at-risk communities fell from 14% in 2009 to 3.8% in 2017

  • Around 42% of Indigenous Australians who had a diabetes test had also had an eye examination in 2017–18

  • Indigenous Australians having a professional eye care exam increased from 13% in 2007–08 to 16% in 2017–18

  • Median waiting time for cataract surgery was 141 days for Indigenous Australians and 89 days for non-Indigenous