Macular Degeneration Awareness Week 2012 Keep your family in the picture
Macular Degeneration (MD) Awareness Week 2012 runs from Sunday 27 May to Saturday 2 June in 2012, and awareness activities are already well under way.
Keep your family in the picture is the theme of MD Awareness Week 2012, highlighting the fact that if a member of the family has Macular Degeneration, there is a 50% chance of developing the disease.
Making sure family members have their eyes tested and macula checked and adopting a healthy diet and lifestyle, will help reduce the risk of developing the disease.
The facts
- Macular Degeneration is the leading cause of blindness in Australia
- It affects central vision
- One million people in Australia have some evidence of this disease
- Age, family history and smoking are all risk factors
- A direct family history means you have a 50% chance of developing Macular Degeneration
What you can do
- Don't wait. Early detection is vital
- If you're over 50 have an eye test and make sure your macula is checked
- Make sure your family know how to reduce their risk
- Contact the Foundation to obtain a free information kit
What you can do to support Macular Degeneration Awareness Week
- Contact your local newspaper, council, library, member of parliament, optometrist, general practitioner, ophthalmologist or pharmacist and encourage them to display posters and brochures on MD
- Use the Foundation's Eating for Eye Health The Macular Degeneration Foundation Cookbook
- Ensure those over 50 have their Amsler grid on the fridge and test themselves everyday
- Help us grow our online presence. Like us on facebook and get your friends to as well
- Promote MD Awareness Week on your own website and social media pages.
- Invite the family for a meal and ask them to bring an eye health food
For further information on MD Awareness Week, or to order a free information pack on Macular Degeneration, call the Foundation on 1800 111 709 or email mdf@mdfoundation.com.au