Macular Disease Foundation Australia’s annual awareness campaign is broadening its scope in 2018 and will run for the whole month of May.
Macula Month (1 to 31 May) will raise awareness of all macular diseases, including age-related macular degeneration, diabetic eye disease and other less common diseases of the macula.
Recently appointed Macular Disease Foundation Australia Chief Executive Officer, Dee Hopkins, said she is excited about the new developments and is calling on eye health professionals to support the Macula Month campaign.
“The prevalence of diabetes and therefore diabetic retinopathy is expected to grow over the coming years, as is age-related macular degeneration. Those at risk of a macular disease need to understand this and act accordingly. A month long campaign will help us communicate this message to more Australians.”
“During Macula Month we will ask Australians, ‘Are you at risk of macular disease?’ To learn more, we will encourage those at risk to follow some simple steps including having an eye test and macula check, eating an eye healthy diet, and contacting the Foundation for further information.”
“The Foundation offers free, independent, non-clinical advice and support via our free 1800 Helpline. We aim to compliment the work of eye health professionals by providing the community with critical information on prevention, disease and treatment. We can also help navigate the issues associated with living with macular disease. This includes access to low vision aids and technologies; family and carer assistance; and how to navigate the NDIS and My Aged Care system to name a few,” said Ms. Hopkins.
“We have garnered wide ranging support from key industry stakeholders with Bayer, Blackmores and Optometry Australia as key supporters of Macula Month 2018,” she said. “The success of this campaign will be a community effort, so I encourage everyone to get on board.”
INFORMATION KITS BEING SENT TO ECPS
Macula Month campaign kits have been sent to all eye health professionals, with a raft of materials and ideas on how to get involved. An online communication toolkit is also available in support of the campaign and includes copy and graphics for use in emails, websites and in social media.
Additionally, during Macula Month, Australians will be asked to ‘Eat for your Eyes’. Recipe pads and nutrition information on macular disease are included in campaign kits, and during the month of May a special macula menu e-cookbook will be available on the Foundation’s website.
The online communications toolkit can be downloaded at www.mdfoundation.com.au or contact Macular Disease Foundation Australia (AUS) 1800 111 709.
