Get Involved - What Can You Do?
You can help to spread the word during MD Awareness Week by:
- Promote the key message "have your eyes tested and make sure your macula is checked" to your family, friends and local community.
- Encourage people you know to call the MD Foundation and request a free information kit on 1800 111 709.
- Call the MD foundation to organise a free MD Education Session for your community group if you live in the Sydney or Perth areas.
- Organise a MD fundraising event in your local community.
- Volunteer for the MD Foundation.
MD Key Messages:
- MD can affect those under 50
- Make sure you tell all your family members that you have MD
- Make family members aware of the hereditary factor (50% chance of developing MD)
- Make young people, especially any grandchildren, are aware of the link between smoking and blindness - they may listen to granny!
- Make sure all your relatives phone the MD Foundation to get their free info kit
- Make sure you use your Amsler Grid and you know the symptoms for MD. Early detection is critical to saving sight.
- If you experience any sudden change in vision you should see an Optometrist or Ophthalmologist urgently.
- Any difficulty with vision should never be dismissed as just needing glasses, getting older or computer related eye strain.
- Dismissing symptoms and not seeking advice risks blindness.