Prevalence of trachoma and diabetes‐related eye disease among a cohort of adult Aboriginal patients screened over the period 1999–2004 in remote South Australia

Abstract

The data suggest that although trachoma is still endemic in this South Australian Aboriginal population the prevalence and severity are less than previously reported. Diabetes mellitus has a high prevalence within this population and great potential for detrimental visual sequelae.

Virtual community consultation? Using the literature and weblogs to link community perspectives and health technology assessment

“…Similarly, although the peer‐reviewed literature describes failure of the referral chain 36 and therapy uptake 37 in diabetic retinopathy programmes particularly in remote and rural regions, explanation of the underlying reasons is lacking. A single graphic blog about the experience of laser therapy describes a painful and uncomfortable procedure:…”

Review of the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy in Indigenous Australians

“…In the GEHS, 18% of Indigenous Australians with DM were found to have any DR, and 7% found to have VTDR at first eye check . Furthermore, only 33% of Indigenous DR cases identified to benefit from laser photocoagulation from the SAEHP actually underwent treatment . A meta‐analysis of international studies conducted from 1975 to 2008 in patients not yet treated for DR showed that rates of progression to PDR and severe vision loss are substantially lower since 1985 compared with the pre‐1985 era .…”

“…Indigenous Australian studies included for this analysis were limited predominantly to volunteer cohorts because of the difficulties in collecting community‐derived, population‐based data. A number of studies collected data in an opportunistic manner from patients attending routine eye clinics as this was seen as the most effective and culturally acceptable recruitment technique . Thus, the potential for selection bias was high, particularly in remote areas, where eye clinics are held infrequently, and patients are increasingly likely to attend if they have a perceived visual disturbance, or are at high risk for visual loss.…”

Trachoma, cataracts and uncorrected refractive error are still important contributors to visual morbidity in two remote indigenous communities of the Northern Territory, Australia

“…Visual impairment is thought to remain significantly higher among Indigenous Australians living in some remote communities than in urban Australian populations. The prevalence of diabetic retinopathy has been recently reported in a number of studies 1–3 . The importance of trachoma remains controversial and the impact of cataract and uncorrected refractive error have still not been adequately quantified.…”

“…Durkin et al. reported that 47% of a South Australian indigenous population had diabetes, of whom 22% had diabetic retinopathy 3 …”