Diabetes Eye Care

The MBS Item 715/12325 Eye Check Card is designed to support vision screening for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people by outlining the key steps required for GPs and other health professionals providing eye and vision screening for MBS Item 715 and diabetic retinopathy screening for MBS Item 12325.

The head of IEH, Professor Hugh Taylor, talks about the importance of diabetic retinopathy screening and the latest data for the related Medicare item.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet and The Fred Hollows Foundation have developed a visually engaging health practice resource that complements the more detailed written information available on the HealthInfoNet dedicated eye health website. The video and resources are free for educational purposes.

By Rosamond Gilden and Carol A HoldenIndigenous Eye Health, The University of Melbourne

On 25 July 2016, Indigenous Eye Health at the University of Melbourne hosted ‘Non-mydriatic retinal photography - a roundtable in preparation for new MBS items for people with diabetes’. This meeting brought together representatives from peak national bodies across Australia, covering Indigenous health, eye care and diabetes, to discuss approaches and actions necessary to support the successful introduction of new Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) items for non- mydriatic retinal photography (NMRP) for people with diabetes. Participants were provided with updates including currently available information and resources, discussed the barriers and solutions to increase diabetic retinopathy (DR) screening rates in Aboriginal Medical Services (AMS) and mainstream practices, and identified some of the next steps for implementation. Thirty-one people attended the meeting representing fourteen organisations.Download Report