A newly released report shows that more than 560,000 Australians with diabetes are reducing their risk of blindness by over 90% thanks to KeepSight, the national eye check reminder program run by Diabetes Australia.
Established in 2019, KeepSight reminds people with diabetes to have regular eye checks. An average of more than 8,000 new participants join the program each month, and more than 60% of those receiving reminders return for ongoing checks within the recommended timeframes.
The Deloitte report, Unveiling the Value of KeepSight: Enhancing Diabetes-Related Vision Care and Preventing Vision Loss, released during National Diabetes Week (July 13-19), highlights the benefits of early and regular eye screening.
Diabetes Australia Group CEO Ms Justine Cain emphasised that more than 90% of diabetes-related eye complications could be prevented or significantly delayed if caught early.
“This proactive approach not only preserves vision and improves quality of life but also reduces the healthcare costs associated with treating advanced eye conditions related to diabetes,” she said.
The report shows that thanks to KeepSight, more than a third of Australians living with diabetes are registered to receive crucial safety-net reminders – up from 4% in 2020.
Most participants are referred by their optometrist.
In a media release, KeepSight said it now had a strong presence across the major optometry providers, with over 80% integrated, however continued efforts were needed to expand reach among independent practices, smaller chains, and providers in rural and remote areas.
Funded by the Australian Government and public-private partnerships, including founding partner Specsavers, along with support from the wider eye sector, including Vision 2020 Australia, RANZCO, and Optometry Australia, KeepSight was developed as a crucial step toward a national diabetes eye screening system.
Participants receive regular reminders via email, SMS, or post, in addition to any reminders from their eyecare provider.
Cain noted that this extra reminder layer was changing behaviour and was one of KeepSight’s key impacts.
“Diabetes is relentless, there’s no day off,” she said. “People manage multiple health concerns, and eye checks can slip down the priority list.
“Also, diabetic retinopathy can develop without symptoms. People might think their vision is fine so they don’t need to prioritise a check right now, but research shows regular eye checks are critical.
“Barriers like cost, access, fear of discomfort, or worry about finding a problem can prevent people from seeking care. KeepSight helps break down these barriers by providing reminders and reassurance from a trusted source.”
KeepSight clinical director Professor Peter van Wijngaarden said the report identified that the program was facilitating behaviour change in several ways.
“We have evidence to show that KeepSight is helping many people who are at risk of vision loss access the eye checks that they need,” Prof van Wijngaarden said.
“Nearly a third of those who registered with the program had not seen an eyecare provider in more than two years. These people are now engaging in regular cycles of eyecare to safeguard their vision.
“KeepSight also provides a backstop for people who might have missed reminders to reattend their eyecare provider for their next eye check.
“People who are registered with KeepSight are 20 per cent more likely to return for their diabetes eye checks than people who are not.”
Diabetes Australia is using this National Diabetes Week as a platform for reinforcing the prevention and early detection message.
Australians are being offered free health checks in more than 300 pharmacies across the country in an effort to turn the dial on type 2 diabetes prevention.
The Deloitte report also highlights KeepSight’s success in bringing together government, optometry, ophthalmology, and peak health bodies to create a coordinated approach to diabetes-related eyecare, setting a new national benchmark, and ensuring consistent and effective eyecare practices across optometry clinics.
Specsavers clinical director Dr Ben Ashby said since 2019, 75% of its patients with diabetes had given consent and were enrolled in KeepSight. These patients entered into a new clinical pathway in optometry care, in which diabetes status is systematically documented and monitored consistently throughout the eyecare continuum.
“This enables a nationally consistent approach to managing diabetes eye health, improving efficiency and enhancing timely access to co-management and treatment,” he said.
According to the report, it is also playing a role in reducing the cost of avoidable diabetes related vision loss.
Vision 2020 Australia CEO Ms Carly Iles said the economic cost of avoidable diabetes vision loss was up to AU$5.3 billion per annum.
“By promoting regular eye checks and timely intervention, KeepSight is contributing to a reduction in these costs in Australia,” she said.
More reading
The return rate of KeepSight patients
Specsavers reaches one million KeepSight appointment registrations
Undiagnosed and unmanaged diabetes focus of National Diabetes Week
