title: Impact of diabetes on eye care service needs: the National Indigenous Eye Health Survey.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  To assess the proportion of Australian Indigenous adults who require eye care services (separately among those with and without diabetes) and determine implications for eye care service planning.
  
  
  METHODS
  The National Indigenous Eye Health Survey (NIEHS) was a population-based study of 30 randomly selected geographical areas.
  
  
  METHODS
  The NIEHS included 1189 Indigenous adults aged 40-80 years.
  
  
  METHODS
  A standardized eye examination was performed.
  
  
  METHODS
  The number requiring eye care services by diabetes status.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Those with diabetes were older (median 53 years) than those without diabetes (median age 50 years), P < 0.001. The total estimated population-based need for annual eye care in the NIEHS population was 52% (n = 615), and of those 72% were people with diabetes. Among those with diabetes, 29% required further primary referral for diabetic retinopathy, 12% for cataract, 1% for trachomatous trichiasis and 5% for uncorrected distance refractive error. Among those without diabetes 13% required further primary referral for cataract, 0% for trachomatous trichiasis and 5% for uncorrected distance refractive error.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study has shown that among Indigenous adults, those with diabetes form 72% of those requiring an eye examination in any year. A key strategy to close the gap for vision for Australia's Indigenous population is to ensure those with diabetes undergo annual eye screening, have clearly defined care pathways and receive timely treatment. Establishing care pathways for those who have diabetes would also improve access to eye care services for others in the community.
authors: Indigenous Eye Health Unit, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
authors: Robyn J
authors: RJ
authors: Tapp
authors: Indigenous Eye Health Unit, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
authors: Andrea I
authors: AI
authors: Boudville
authors: Indigenous Eye Health Unit, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
authors: Marian
authors: M
authors: Abouzeid
authors: Indigenous Eye Health Unit, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
authors: Mitchell D
authors: MD
authors: Anjou
authors: Indigenous Eye Health Unit, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
authors: Hugh R
authors: HR
authors: Taylor
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000208:ethnology*; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000208:ethnology*; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006303:Health Services, Indigenous / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009313:National Health Programs; D020380:Needs Assessment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009885:Ophthalmology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000095283:Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples
keywords: diabetes; eye cares service; public health