Funding Decision Set to Curb Australia's Eye Health Epidemic

Leading ophthalmologists have welcomed the Government's decision to include a treatment for macular degeneration on the Medicare Benefits Scheme.

The Federal Government's decision to fund Visudyne Therapy to the tune of $139.8 million over four years will potentially save the sight of over 3,000 Australians this year alone.

Speaking on behalf of the Macular Degeneration Foundation, the peak patient advocacy group, Chairman Dr Paul Beaumont said the Government's decision to fund this breakthrough treatment adds weight to the serious message of MD Awareness Week. "MD has already robbed nearly 350,000 Australians over the age of 50 of their eye sight yet there is still very little understanding of or research into the disease. The decision to make Visudyne Therapy available through Medicare will make it a lot easier for some patients to receive immediate treatment."

AMD is responsible for over two thirds of all cases of legal blindness in Australia affecting 800,000 Australians with 12,000 new cases of the severe (sight threatening) stage of the disease occurring each year. The incidence of blindness among people over 50 is expected to triple in the next 25 years.

According to Dr Mark Gillies, Retinal Specialist, Sydney Eye Hospital, the Government's decision to subsidise this treatment will provide AMD sufferers with equitable access to a clinically proven treatment. "By providing access to this treatment, the Federal Government is making a long term commitment to the growing elderly population enabling us to treat three times more patients who have the wet form of AMD and where we have caught the disease in its early stages."

"Visudyne Therapy helps to prevent further vision loss and in some cases improves eyesight in patients with the 'wet' form of AMD. It acts to confine retinal damage using a light-sensitive treatment to seal leaky blood vessels and can be performed in a doctor's surgery in about 20 minutes. It is pain-free and has a good safety profile. We anticipate that the treatment will pay for itself by preventing the many health problems associated with blindness. These include increased nursing home admissions, dementia, depression, falls, broken hips and social isolation."

"All people over 50 must ensure they have regular eye checks at least every two years. This is increasingly important for those with a family history of eye disease, " said Dr Gillies. "We would like to see these people undertake self-testing in both eyes once a week."

Dr Paul Beaumont said, "Early detection is the key to minimising the effects of this disease and increasing the chance for vision to be stabilised. If left untreated, the majority of people affected with wet AMD will become functionally blind within two years."

"One of the first signs of AMD is distortion of straight lines. The distortion may be very subtle at first. Anyone experiencing these symptoms should see an eye doctor immediately."

Seventy-two-year-old Margaret Salmon was diagnosed with the AMD three years ago and has since benefited from Visudyne Therapy. "Loosing my eye-sight was a terrifying experience. The Visudyne treatment has saved my sight and has allowed me to remain independent."

AMD affects the central field of vision, which is necessary to perform tasks of daily living such as reading, driving, and crossing the road. A person with AMD finds these activities frightening, and impossible to perform if they have AMD in both eyes.

For more information about AMD call the Macular Degeneration Foundation on 1800 111 709, or visit www.mdfoundation.com.au

Macular Degeneration (MD) is often related to ageing and is commonly referred to as Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD).