Optometry recognised as essential in diabetes care

A parliamentary inquiry into diabetes has highlighted the essential role of optometry and optometrists in the management and treatment of diabetic eye disease.  

The inquiry’s findings were published in a comprehensive 270-page report, which featured 23 recommendations aimed at strengthening the government’s response to the ‘growing diabetes epidemic’ across the country. It found diabetes to be the most common cause of preventable blindness in Australia. 

Optometry Australia CEO Skye Cappuccio expressed her thanks to the parliamentary committee for including OA’s submission in its final report, and for recognising the importance of eye health and vision in diabetes care. 

‘Almost all people with Type 1 diabetes and more than half of people with Type 2 diabetes will be affected by diabetic retinopathy in their lifetime,’ she said. 

‘Regular eye examinations with an optometrist are essential in the early detection and management of diabetic retinopathy. If left untreated, diabetic retinopathy can lead to vision loss or blindness, and severely impede quality of life.’ 

In its submission, OA also emphasised the need for optometrists to be integrated into multidisciplinary care team arrangements for all individuals living with diabetes. 

‘Optometrists are well-positioned to play a role in diabetes prevention. As primary healthcare providers, optometrists can inform patients about the impact of diabetes on eye health during routine examinations,’ Ms Cappuccio said.  

‘In our submission, we have recommended that the Government introduce a national strategy to ensure people with diabetes receive eye examinations to enable early detection and treatment of diabetic retinopathy. We are delighted to see that our recommendation has been included in the report. 

‘We look forward to working with the Government to implement these recommendations, and in doing so, improve eye health outcomes for all people living with this common disease.’ 

Other noteworthy recommendations in the report include: 

• Exploring the potential for effective national screening programs for all forms of diabetes, particularly Type 2 diabetes.  
• Implementing a national public health campaign to increase public awareness of the early signs of all forms of diabetes mellitus. 
• Implementing a national public health campaign to increase awareness of the importance of prevention, identification of early signs, and good management of all forms of diabetes mellitus.