The NSW Government has announced $180,000 in funding to increase access to treatment and support services for people living with macular disease.
The one-off grant will support national charity Macular Disease Foundation Australia (MDFA) to minimise the impact of the disease on the 1.9 million Australians living with it and their families.
Macular disease is the leading cause of severe vision loss and blindness in Australia and this grant will support the organisation to reduce the impacts of macular disease through prevention and early detection, supports for those living with it, and further research into the disease.
MDFA provides information and advice through programs such as a confidential helpline (1800 111 709), peer support groups, and services to support people living with the condition, those at risk of the condition and their families.
The Foundation also advocates for patients in NSW to receive affordable anti-vascular endothelial growth factor eye injections which can slow and, in some cases, prevent vision loss.
Without treatment, people with macular diseases such as neovascular AMD, diabetic macular oedema and retinal vein occlusion will lose their vision.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Health, Ryan Park:
"Macular disease impacts around one in seven Australians over the age of 50 years and in some cases can even lead to blindness.
"The NSW Government is supporting Macular Disease Foundation Australia to ensure more people across NSW who are at risk of this disease have access to sight-saving care and support.
"Through this work more people than ever before will have access to better treatment and support options which could improve the quality of life for them and their loved ones."
Quotes attributable to Chief Executive Officer Macular Disease Foundation Australia, Dr Kathy Chapman:
"Today marks a significant moment in Macular Disease Foundation Australia's fight for sight. With the generous support from the NSW Government, we are pleased to be working with NSW Health to drive access to sight-saving treatments so no Australian needlessly goes blind from macular disease.
"This backing brings us closer to a future where accessibility and affordability are no longer barriers to health and well-being. No one should face macular disease without access to the treatment they need to keep their vision."
