Eye health measures for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people 2024: interactive data

The number and proportion of First Nations people screened for diabetic retinopathy with a retinal camera: Measure 2.3.3

Latest data

In 2022–23, an estimated 802 (0.9 per 1,000) First Nations people were screened for diabetic retinopathy with a retinal camera (Figure 21).

Figure 21: Screening for diabetic retinopathy with a retinal camera (MBS data), 2022–23

Note: Data is based on date of service.

Source: AIHW analysis of Medical Benefits Schedule data.

By remoteness 

In 2021–22, the rate of screening tests for diabetic retinopathy with a retinal camera for First Nations people was lowest in Major cities (0.6 per 1,000) and highest in Remote and Very remote areas (both 1.3 per 1,000). In 2022–23, the rate of screening tests for First Nations people was lowest in Inner regional areas (0.5 per 1,000) and highest in Remote areas (2.0 per 1,000) (Figure 22 – remoteness). 

By jurisdiction 

In 2021–22 and 2022–23, the rate of screening tests for diabetic retinopathy with a retinal camera for First Nations people was highest in Western Australia (3.0 and 3.7 per 1,000, respectively). Data were not available in Tasmania and the Australian Capital Territory in 2022–23 (Figure 22 – jurisdiction).

Time trend

From 2016–17 to 2022–23, age-specific rates of screening tests for diabetic retinopathy with a retinal camera for First Nations people for all age groups, rose and then fell over the period. The highest rates of screening tests for diabetic retinopathy with a retinal camera were seen in those aged 55 and over (Figure 22 – time trend).

Figure 22: Screening for diabetic retinopathy with a retinal camera (MBS data): interactive data