Foundation urges caution

Macular degeneration is the leading cause of blindness and severe vision loss in Australia.

A number of Australia’s peak medical and patient advocacy groups are advising patients to be careful of alternate treatments that are advertised in newspapers or on the internet claiming dramatic success in the treatment of macular degeneration.

The Foundation’s position on hyperbaric oxygen treatment aligns with The Australian & New Zealand Society of Retina Specialists (ANZSRS), the Royal Australian & New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists (RANZCO) and the Australian Medical Association (AMA). All these organisations urge caution as there is no compelling evidence-based research that hyperbaric oxygen treatment has a beneficial effect on either the wet or dry form of MD.

Before proceeding, patients considering such treatment or other alternate therapies claiming dramatic results are urged to see their ophthalmologist to discuss the evidence and potential risks. For more information, phone the Macular Degeneration Foundation (toll free) on 1800 111 709.

Posted: 1 July 2011