Summary
This is the seventh annual Eye health measures for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people report. The measures in these annual reports were developed to provide an evidence base to monitor changes in eye health among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (First Nations) people over time and their use of eye health services.
This report includes the latest available data for each measure where possible. The 2016, 2017 and 2018 editions of the report presented data for 23 measures, however, collection of data for 1 measure ceased. Of the 22 measures with ongoing data collections, 11 have sub-measures. In total, this 2023 edition of the report contains 37 measures and sub-measures, 28 of which have been updated. Of the 28 measures that have been updated, Table 1 presents trend data for 25 key eye health measures. Of these:
- 11 measures or sub-measures appear to be improving
- 4 measures or sub-measures appear to be worsening
- 7 measures or sub-measures have updated data but show no change or no clear trend over time
- 3 measures have updated data but it is not possible to determine if changes represent an improvement or not. For example, an increase in hospitalisations for eye diseases could be interpreted as an increase in disease rates or an increase in treatment rates.
Summary
Introduction
- Protective and risk factors for eye health problems
- Health protective and risk factors
- Environmental and socioeconomic factors
- Access to services
- Cultural safety
- Wellbeing and quality of life
- Eye health policy context, services and programs
- Australian Government initiatives
- State and territory-based programs and services
- Outreach programs
- Eye health measures and the data sources
- Data disaggregations
- Key data sources
- Population estimates
- First Nations identification
- Regional data
- Needs estimates
- Structure of the report
1. Prevalence – what is the extent of eye health problems?
- Measure 1.1: Prevalence of vision impairment and blindness
- Measure 1.2: Main causes of vision impairment and blindness
- Measure 1.3: Prevalence of trachoma and trichiasis
2. Diagnosis and screening – how are eye health problems identified?
- Measure 2.1: Annual health assessments for First Nations people
- Measure 2.2: Eye examinations by an eye care professional
- Measure 2.3: Screening for diabetic retinopathy among target population
- Measure 2.4: Trachoma and trichiasis screening coverage
- Measure 2.5: Undiagnosed eye conditions
3. Treatment – how are eye problems treated?
- Measure 3.1: Hospitalisations for diseases of the eye
- Measure 3.2: Hospitalisations for injuries to the eye
- Measure 3.3: Hospitalisations for eye procedures
- Measure 3.4: Cataract surgery rate
- Measure 3.5: Cataract surgical coverage rate
- Measure 3.6: Waiting times for elective cataract surgery
- Measure 3.7: Treated for diabetic retinopathy among target population
- Measure 3.8: Trachoma and trichiasis treatment coverage
- Measure 3.9: Treatment of refractive error
- Measure 3.10: Spectacles dispensed under state schemes
4. Workforce and outreach services
- Measure 4.1: Number and rate of optometrists
- Measure 4.2: Number and rate of ophthalmologists
- Measure 4.3: Number and rate of allied ophthalmic personnel
- Measure 4.4: Occasions of eye health services provided under outreach and other programs
Appendix A: Data Sources
Appendix B: PHN and Roadmap regions
Appendix C: Technical specifications
Appendix D: Data gaps and limitations
End matter: Acknowledgements; Abbreviations; Symbols; Glossary; References.