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Visual outcomes following diabetic vitrectomy have not previously been studied in an Australian population.This analysis aimed to determine the rate of, and factors associated with visual success following diabetic vitrectomy performed for Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians, and investigate factors predisposing to early progression to diabetic retinopathy (DR) requiring vitrectomy.Retrospective, population-based audit.All patients undergoing vitrectomy for the complications of DR in South Australia (SA) and the Northern Territory (NT) between 2007 and 2011.Medical records were audited and data collected, including demographics, diabetic history, past treatment for DR, indication for vitrectomy and visual acuity pre and postoperatively.Visual success (gain of ≥15 ETDRS letters) at 6 and 12 months, postoperatively.A total of 495 diabetic vitrectomies, for 404 eyes of 335 patients were performed in SA and NT between 2007 and 2011. 77 (23%) patients requiring diabetic vitrectomy were Indigenous Australians. 87% of patients undergoing diabetic vitrectomy had stable or improved vision at 1 year, postoperatively. There was no significant difference between indigenous and non-indigenous eyes achieving visual success (P = 0.929). Timely preoperative laser treatment (P = 0.03) and preoperative visual acuity (P = 0.01) were the predominant factors associated with visual success.Indigenous patients are just as likely to have improved vision following diabetic vitrectomy as non-Indigenous Australians. However, the small subset of indigenous patients with blind eyes prior to vitrectomy are significantly less likely to improve from surgery. The underlying factors associated with poor outcomes in this group requires further exploration.

The purpose of this review is to compare the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy (DR) between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians with Diabetes Mellitus (DM). Australian DR prevalence data from 6 Indigenous studies (n = 2865) and 5 non-Indigenous studies (n = 9801) conducted between 1985 and 2013 were included for analysis. Estimated prevalence of any DR among Indigenous Australians with DM was 23.4% compared with 28.9% for non-Indigenous Australians (χ(2) = 26.9, P 0.001). In studies performed after 1990, a significantly higher rate of diabetic macular edema was found in Indigenous compared with non-Indigenous Australians with DM (7.6% versus 4.9%, χ(2) = 6.67, P = 0.01). Although there are limitations in comparing these studies, one explanation for the observed data could be a model in which Indigenous Australians are relatively resistant to early stage DR, but with a subset progressing to sight threatening DR due to individual genetic and environmental susceptibility factors coupled with poor glycemic control.

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a blinding disease of increasing prevalence that is caused by a complex interplay of genetic and environmental factors. Here we describe the patient recruitment methodology, case and control definitions, and clinical characteristics of a study sample to be used for genome-wide association analysis to detect genetic risk variants of DR.One thousand six hundred sixty-nine participants with either type 1 (T1) or type 2 (T2) diabetes mellitus (DM) aged 18 to 95 years were recruited in Australian hospital clinics. Individuals with T2DM had disease duration of at least 5 years and were taking oral hypoglycaemic medication, and/or insulin therapy. Participants underwent ophthalmic examination. Medical history and biochemistry results were collected. Venous blood was obtained for genetic analysis.Six hundred eighty-three diabetic cases (178 T1DM and 505 T2DM participants) with sight-threatening DR, defined as severe non-proliferative DR, proliferative DR or diabetic macular oedema were included in this analysis. Eight hundred twelve individuals with DM but no DR or minimal non-proliferative DR were recruited as controls (191 with T1DM and 621 with T2DM). The presence of sight-threatening DR was significantly correlated with DM duration, hypertension, nephropathy, neuropathy, HbA1C and body mass index. Diabetic macular oedema was associated with T2DM (P 0.001), whereas proliferative DR was associated with T1DM (P 0.001).Adoption of a case-control study design involving extremes of the DR phenotype makes this a suitable cohort, for a well-powered genome-wide association study to detect genetic risk variants for DR.

Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) is a genetically complex disease. Genome-wide association study (GWAS) is a particularly useful tool in the search for genetic contributions to glaucoma. Recently, chromosome 9p21 has become a major focus of research endeavour, with multiple genome-wide association studies suggesting associations to POAG. Herein, we provide a review of the chromosome 9p21 susceptibility locus as a risk factor for POAG.

Genome-wide association studies are a powerful tool for the identification of genetic risk factors for complex disease. This methodology has been successfully applied to primary open-angle glaucoma through the analysis of primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) as well as specific subgroups of patients including those with normal tension glaucoma and advanced glaucoma. In addition, the analysis of quantitative traits important in POAG, including optic disc area and vertical cup-to-disc ratio has also identified genes important in POAG development. This review explores findings of genome-wide association studies for POAG and related traits.

Glaucoma is a sight-threatening disease affecting 3% of the population over the age of 50. Glaucoma is treatable, and severe vision loss can usually be prevented if diagnosis is made at an early stage. Genetic factors play a major role in the pathogenesis of the condition, and therefore, genetic testing to identify asymptomatic at-risk individuals is a promising strategy to reduce the prevalence of glaucoma blindness. Furthermore, unravelling genetic risk factors for glaucoma would also allow a better understanding of the pathogenesis of the condition and the development of new treatments. The Australian and New Zealand Registry of Advanced Glaucoma is a prospective study that aims to develop a large cohort of glaucoma cases with severe visual field loss to identify novel genetic risk factors for glaucoma blindness. Clinical information and blood are collected from participants after referral by eye practitioners. Samples are collected across Australia and New Zealand using postage kits. Our registry has recruited just over 2000 participants with advanced glaucoma, as well as secondary and developmental glaucomas. A positive family history of glaucoma is present in more than half of the advanced glaucoma cases and the age at diagnosis is significantly younger for participants with affected relatives, which reinforces the involvement of genetic factors in glaucoma. With the collection of glaucoma cases recruited so far, our registry aims to identify novel glaucoma genetic risk factors to establish risk profiling of the population and protocols for genetic testing.