Eye examinations by an eye care professional

Measure 2.2:  The number of Indigenous Australians who had an eye examination by an optometrist or ophthalmologist in the last 12 months, proportion of the population.

Eye care professionals play an important role in screening for eye and vision problems by conducting basic eye examinations.  Current data provides an incomplete picture of the extent of Indigenous eye health services. For example, data do not capture many of the ophthalmological services—such as eye examinations undertaken by salaried ophthalmologists in public hospitals.

There are 6 separate charts for this measure showing the proportion of the population that had an eye examination by an eye care professional in the preceding 12 months, for Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians by various characteristics.

Number and proportion of Indigenous Australians that had an eye examination by an eye care professional, by profession type, 2019–20

This dual axis combined vertical bar chart and scatter plot displays the number and proportion of Indigenous Australians, in 2019–20, that had had an eye examination by ophthalmologists and optometrists in the preceding 12 months. The chart shows that in 2019–20 there were around 133 Indigenous Australians who had an eye examination undertaken by an ophthalmologist in the preceding 12 months (0.0% of the population) and around 104,176 who had an eye examination undertaken by an optometrist (12% of the population).

Proportion of the population that had an eye exam by an eye care professional, in the last 12 months, 2007–08 to 2019–20

This line graph shows the proportion of the population, from 2007–08 to 2019–20, that had had an eye examination by an eye care professional in the preceding 12 months, by Indigenous status. The chart shows that, between 2007–08 and 2019–20, the total age-standardised proportion of the Indigenous population that had had an eye examination increased from around 14% to 17%, while the proportion for non-Indigenous Australians increased from around 19% to 24%.

Proportion of Indigenous Australians that had an eye exam by an eye care professional in the last 12 months, by age, 2007–08 to 2019–20

This line graph shows the proportion of the Indigenous population, from 2007–08 to 2019–20, that had an eye examination by an eye care professional in the preceding 12 months, by age group. The chart shows that, from 2007–08 to 2018–19, the crude proportion of the Indigenous population that had an eye examination increased for all age groups before plateauing or declining slightly from 2018–19 to 2019–20.  The increase was greatest for those in the 65 and over age group which increased from 26.2% to 34.5% before declining to 31% over this period.

Proportion of non-Indigenous Australians that had an eye exam by an eye care professional in the last 12 months, by age, 2007–08 to 2019–20

This line graph shows the proportion of the non-Indigenous population, from 2007–08 to 2019–20, that had an eye examination by an eye care professional in the preceding 12 months, by age group. The chart shows that, from 2007–08 to 2018–19, the crude proportion of the non-Indigenous population that had an eye examination increased for all age groups before plateauing or declining slightly from 2018–19 to 2019–20. The increase was greatest for those in the 65 and over age group which increased from 28.8% to 49% before declining to 44.9% over this period.

Proportion of the population that had an eye exam by an eye care professional in the last 12 months, by region, 2019–20

This vertical bar chart compares the proportion of the Indigenous population, in 2019–20, that had an eye examination by an eye care professional in the preceding 12 months by remoteness category of geographic location. The chart shows that the proportion of Indigenous Australians who had had an eye examination in the preceding 12 months was similar in Major cities and Inner regional areas (both 14%) and then decreased as remoteness increased.

Proportion of the population that had an eye exam by an eye care professional in the last 12 months, by jurisdiction, 2019–20

This vertical bar chart compares the proportion of the Indigenous population, in 2019–20, that had an eye examination by an eye care professional in the preceding 12 months, by state and territory. The chart shows that the proportion of Indigenous Australians who had had an eye examination were lowest in the Northern Territory and Western Australia (both 8.2%) followed by the South Australia (12.0%) and were highest in the Australian Capital Territory and Tasmania (both around 15%).

  • In 2019–20, there were around 104,300 Indigenous Australians who had had an eye examination undertaken by an optometrist or ophthalmologist in the preceding 12 months—12% of the population. This was less than the estimated number of eye examinations needed for Indigenous Australians each year (145,469) (IEHU 2017).
  • In 2019–20, the proportion of Indigenous Australians who had had an eye examination was lowest in Western Australia and the Northern Territory (8.2%) followed by South Australia (12.0%) and was highest in Tasmania (15%).
  • Age-specific rates of eye examinations by an optometrist or ophthalmologist increased between 2009–10 and 2017–18 for Indigenous Australians, before declining between 2017–18 and 2019–20, across all age groups. In those aged 65 and over rates increased from 26.6% to 35% before declining to 31% over this period. Rates for non-Indigenous Australians aged 65 and over increased from 32% to 48% before declining to 45% over the same period.
  • Between 2007–08 and 2019–20, the total age-standardised proportion of the Indigenous population that had had an eye examination increased from 14% to 17%, while the proportion for non-Indigenous Australians increased from 19% to 24%.
  • In 2019–20, there were around 104,300 Indigenous Australians who had had an eye examination undertaken by an optometrist or ophthalmologist in the preceding 12 months—12% of the population. This was less than the estimated number of eye examinations needed for Indigenous Australians each year (145,469) (IEHU 2017).
  • In 2019–20, the proportion of Indigenous Australians who had had an eye examination was lowest in Western Australia and the Northern Territory (8.2%) followed by South Australia (12.0%) and was highest in Tasmania (15%).
  • Age-specific rates of eye examinations by an optometrist or ophthalmologist increased between 2009–10 and 2017–18 for Indigenous Australians, before declining between 2017–18 and 2019–20, across all age groups. In those aged 65 and over rates increased from 26.6% to 35% before declining to 31% over this period. Rates for non-Indigenous Australians aged 65 and over increased from 32% to 48% before declining to 45% over the same period.
  • Between 2007–08 and 2019–20, the total age-standardised proportion of the Indigenous population that had had an eye examination increased from 14% to 17%, while the proportion for non-Indigenous Australians increased from 19% to 24%.
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