May marks Macula Month, a national call to action for Australians to prioritise their eye health and take steps to prevent vision loss caused by macular disease.
Concerningly, new research commissioned by Macular Disease Foundation Australia reveals the sacrifices Australians would have to make to save their sight. This includes delaying retirement, returning to work, or foregoing treatment altogether.
An unacceptable choice
Macular Disease Foundation CEO Dr Kathy Chapman said the YouGov survey of more than 1,000 Australians aged 50-70 highlights a confronting reality, with many people understanding the critical need for treatment but unable to afford it.
“No one should have to sacrifice a dignified retirement to save their vision. It’s an unacceptable choice that should concern all Australians,” Dr Chapman said.
Celebrating 25 years of impact at Parliament House
Macular Disease Foundation Australia has marked a significant milestone at Parliament House, celebrating 25 years of dedicated work to protect the sight of Australians living with macular disease.
The human cost behind the statistics
At 81, Michael is still working so he can afford the treatment that is saving his sight.
Michael is living with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in both eyes and depends on regular eye injections to prevent irreversible vision loss.
“The eye injections have worked well and I’m incredibly grateful for my early diagnosis and the quality of medical care I have received. But it comes with a price tag I can only afford with a regular income.”
Michael doesn’t live extravagantly. With the rising cost of living, he has already made significant sacrifices. Holidays are off the table, topping up his super isn’t an option and the family savings are under constant pressure.
His priorities are caring for his wife and earning enough to pay for his eye injections. But Michael realises he can’t work forever and retirement will come. Rather than thinking of it as a milestone to celebrate, he regards it as a tipping point.
“When I stop working, the injections will stop,” he said. “Certainly in one eye, and most likely in both. From there it’s just a waiting game until I go blind. That’s the fear I live with every day.”
Without treatment, Michael faces permanent vision loss. That would strip away his independence and leave his wife, who relies on him as her primary carer, without the support she depends on every day.
“The thought of losing my vision and driver’s licence is terrifying,” he said. “It wouldn’t just affect me. It would rob me of my ability to care for my wife and drive her to medical appointments.”
Michael has already seen what happens when people cannot afford to continue treatment. It’s a domino effect. People lose their sight, then their independence and ultimately their connection to the outside world.
“No one should have to choose between their eyesight and their dignity in retirement,” Michael said. “But that’s the reality many of us are facing because of the cost of treatment.”
Michael has delayed retirement to afford sight-saving treatment
Advocating for change
To support thousands of Australians like Micheal, Macular Disease Foundation is calling on the Federal Government to introduce a Neovascular AMD Treatment Incentive Program.
The aim of the program is to encourage ophthalmologists to bulk bill pension card holders having eye injections for neovascular AMD, and support those most at risk of stopping treatment due to burden of cost.
Media release
Read our media release for more information.