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Funding for new action plan to tackle macular disease
The Federal Government has announced funding for a national strategic action plan designed to better support patients with macular disease, the leading cause of vision loss in older Australians.
Age-related macular disease is the leading cause of blindness and severe vision loss in Australia.
With as many as 1.7 million Australians showing some evidence of macular disease, Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt has announced the Macular Disease Foundation Australia will receive $150,000 as part of a national strategic action plan.
‘The action plan will provide a streamlined approach to the treatment and management of the disease across Australia,’ he said. ‘Importantly, it will be a roadmap to deliver better outcomes for patients.’
According to the Macular Disease Foundation Australia, the action plan is designed to develop a strategic direction regarding the management, prevention and treatment of macular disease and, in the future, may be incorporated into government policies and budgets.
‘As our population ages and becomes more at risk of aged-related macular degeneration, and with a rising prevalence of diabetic eye disease in working aged Australians, the incidence and impact of macular disease will only increase and put additional strain on our healthcare system,’ Macular Disease Foundation Australia CEO Dee Hopkins said.
‘The national strategic action plan will help us prepare, prioritise and invest wisely to support the macular disease community.’
The Macular Disease Foundation Australia’s report, The journey to see: A model for success, examines treatment for wet age-related macular degeneration over the past 10 years.
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