Indigenous eye health measures 2018

Measure 3.7.1: The number of Indigenous Australians who had a retinal laser procedure or an intra-vitreal injection in the 12 month period who had also had a diabetes test in this period or in the year before, as a proportion of those screened for diabetic retinopathy.

The timely treatment of diabetic retinopathy can prevent vision loss. Treatment generally involves injections into the eye or laser therapy.

• In 2017–18, there were 462 Indigenous Australians screened for diabetic retinopathy who underwent treatment. This was 3.6% of those screened for diabetic retinopathy.
• Across all age groups except those aged 65 and over, a higher proportion of males than females underwent treatment.
• The proportion of Indigenous Australians who received treatment for diabetic retinopathy was highest in the Australian Capital Territory (9.2%) followed by Tasmania (5.4%), and lowest in the Northern Territory (1.2%).