Prevalence of trichiasis

Measure 1.3.2:  The estimated number, and proportion of Indigenous adults in at-risk communities with trichiasis

Trichiasis occurs when eye-lashes become in-turned as a result of untreated trachoma. Early detection and treatment of trichiasis can prevent blindness.

Figures for measure 1.3.2 presents 3 separate charts showing the prevalence of trichiasis in at-risk Indigenous communities, for Indigenous Australians by various characteristics.

Prevalence of trichiasis in communities that screened by age, 2019

This dual axis combined vertical bar chart and scatter plot compares the percentage and number of Indigenous Australians with trichiasis in at-risk Indigenous communities, in two broad age groups, and for all Australians aged 15 and over in 2019. The chart shows that there were 9 Indigenous Australians aged 40 and over with trichiasis, a prevalence rate of 0.1%. There were another 2 Australians aged 15–39 with trichiasis in these communities.  Altogether, 11 (0.1%) Indigenous Australians aged 15 and over with trichiasis.

Prevalence of trichiasis in communities that screened among those aged 40 and over, 2010 to 2019

This dual axis combined line graph and scatter plot shows the percentage and number of Indigenous adults aged 40 and over with trichiasis, from 2010 to 2019. The chart shows that, from 2012 to 2019, the percentage of Indigenous Australians aged 40 and over with trichiasis fell from 2.1% to 0.1%.

Prevalence of trichiasis in communities that screened among those aged 40 and over, by jurisdiction, 2019

This dual axis combined vertical bar chart and scatter plot compares the number and percentage of Indigenous adults aged 40 and over with trichiasis, for 3 jurisdictions in 2019. The chart shows that the prevalence of trichiasis in Indigenous Australians aged over 40 was highest in Queensland (1.4%) and lowest in South Australia (0.5%).

  • The proportion of Indigenous Australians aged 40 and over with trichiasis fell from 2.1% in 2012 to 0.1% in 2019.
  • Among the 4 jurisdictions that undertook screening in 2019, the prevalence of trichiasis in Indigenous Australians was 1.4% in Queensland, 0.8% in Western Australia and 0.5% in South Australia. In the Northern Territory, no adults aged 40 and over who were screened were found to have trichiasis.