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Check My Macula Check My Macula Join the Community Join the Community Order Free Information Order Free Information Call our helpline at 1800111709 Helpline
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      • About Macular Degeneration
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      • What Happens?
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      • Charles Bonnet Syndrome
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    • Diabetic Retinopathy
      • About Diabetic Retinopathy
      • About Diabetes
      • What Happens?
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Macular Disease Foundation Australia
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Menu
  • My Cart
    • Language
      • English
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      • Italian
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    • Home
    • Macular Disease
      • Macular Degeneration
        • About Macular Degeneration
        • Check My Macula
        • What Happens?
        • Risk Factors
        • Prevention
        • Detection
        • Diagnosis
        • Treatment
        • Charles Bonnet Syndrome
        • Cataracts and Macular Degeneration
        • Frequently Asked Questions
      • Diabetic Retinopathy
        • About Diabetic Retinopathy
        • About Diabetes
        • What Happens?
        • Risk Factors
        • Prevention
        • Detection
        • Diagnosis
        • Treatment
        • Frequently Asked Questions
      • Low Vision
        • Living with Low Vision
        • Carer and Family
        • Aids and Technology
        • Slips, Trips and Falls
        • Legal blindness
      • Other Macular Diseases
        • Best Disease
        • Macular Hole
        • Macular Pucker
        • Macular Telangiectasia
        • Myopic Macular Degeneration
        • Retinal Detachment
        • Retinitis Pigmentosa
        • Retinal Vein Occlusion
        • Stargardt Disease
        • Central Serous Chorioretinopathy (CSC)
        • Posterior Vitreous Detachment and Floaters
        • Vitreomacular Traction Syndrome
      • Visit Eye Health Professional
        • Eye Injection Costs and Rebates
      • Macular Disease
        • Anti-VEGF injections for macular disease
    • Research
      • Research Grants Program
        • Research Grants Awarded
        • Research Grant Recipients
        • Apply for the 2021 MDFA Research Grants Program
      • Support Research
      • Latest Research
        • Research News
        • MDFA Research
        • Macular Diseases
        • Understanding Research
        • Social Impact
      • Research Updates
        • Annual Research Update
        • Weekly Research Updates for Professionals
      • Research studies
    • Resources
      • Order Publications and Resources
      • Find a Healthcare Provider
      • Audio and Video
        • Audio
        • Podcasts
        • Patient Voices
        • Videos
      • Macula Menus
      • Check My Macula toolkits
      • Aged care resources
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      • Newsletters
        • Vision Voice Newsletters
        • Subscribe to Newsletters
        • Archive
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        • 2021 news
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        • 2016 News
        • Archived News
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        • Events Calendar
        • Watch past webinars
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        • Annual Reports
        • Whistleblower Policy
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Macular Disease

  • Macular Degeneration
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    • About Macular Degeneration
      • How The Eye Works
    • What Happens?
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      • Lifestyle
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      • Early Signs
      • Changes to Vision
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      • Amsler Grid
    • Diagnosis
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      • Early and Intermediate Macular Degeneration
      • Wet Macular Degeneration
      • Dry Macular Degeneration
    • Charles Bonnet Syndrome
    • Cataracts and Macular Degeneration
    • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Diabetic Retinopathy
    • About Diabetic Retinopathy
      • How the Eye Works
    • About Diabetes
      • Diabetes and the Eye
    • What Happens?
    • Risk Factors
    • Prevention
    • Detection
      • Testing
    • Diagnosis
    • Treatment
      • Diabetes Care Team
    • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Low Vision
    • Living with Low Vision
      • Causes
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      • Challenges
      • Just Diagnosed
      • Maintaining Independence
        • Reading
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        • Lifestyle
      • Low Vision Assessment
        • Visiting a Low Vision Service Provider
      • Coping Strategies
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    • Carer and Family
      • Guide for Care
      • Becoming a Carer
      • Care Plan
      • Support Team
      • Effective Communication
      • Guiding
      • Caring for the Carer
      • Entitlements
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    • Aids and Technology
      • Ten Step Action Plan
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        • Lighting
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      • Slips, Trips and Falls
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          • Around the Home
          • In the Community
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            • Mobility and Strength
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        • Falling
          • Why We Fall
          • Planning For Help
          • After A Fall
          • Fear of Falling
      • Legal blindness
    • Other Macular Diseases
      • Best Disease
      • Macular Hole
      • Macular Pucker
      • Macular Telangiectasia
      • Myopic Macular Degeneration
      • Retinal Detachment
      • Retinitis Pigmentosa
      • Retinal Vein Occlusion
      • Stargardt Disease
      • Posterior Vitreous Detachment and Floaters
      • Central Serous Chorioretinopathy (CSC)
      • Vitreomacular Traction Syndrome
    • Visit Eye Health Professional
      • Eye Injection Costs and Rebates
    • Macular Disease
      • Anti-VEGF injections for macular disease

    Diagnosis

    It can be confusing and upsetting when diagnosed with an eye disease such as diabetic retinopathy and when dealing with low vision. In these situations it is sometimes difficult to remember what the doctor, ophthalmologist or optometrist has said during a consultation.

    When visiting an eye health professional:

    • Ask a friend or family member to take notes and be available later for discussion
    • Ask the eye health professional to write down instructions
    • Request further information if you are still in doubt
    • Find out if printed information is available
    • If you do not fully understand what was said, feel comfortable about ringing back after the visit to ask questions
    • At subsequent consultations take notes and get a friend or family member to attend with you 

    For support when diagnosed with diabetic retinopathy, call Macular Disease Foundation Australia's free Helpline: 1800 111 709

     

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