South Australian eye surgeon Dr James Muecke has vowed to use his platform as Australian of the Year to advocate for measures to tackle preventable blindness caused by diabetes - including a tax on sugary drinks.

"Diabetes is now the leading cause of blindness among working-age adults in Australia," Dr Muecke told The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age.

"The concerning thing is that blindness due to diabetes is virtually all preventable or treatable."

Dr James Muecke wants to use his platform to push for a sugar tax. Credit:Mick Tsikas

Dr Muecke said a tax on sugary drinks must be on the table as part of efforts to prevent and manage type 2 diabetes - which afflicts at least 1.2 million Australians and costs the economy an estimated $15 billion a year, including lost productivity.