With over 7,000 people newly-diagnosed with Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD), each year1, footballing legend Ronnie Whelan launched Fighting Blindness’ new ‘Guide to AMD’ for people affected by the condition, and their loved ones.
AMD is the most common cause of sight loss in people over the age of 50 in Ireland and it’s estimated that seven per cent of Irish people over 50 years of age are living with AMD.
This means that, in Co Cork alone, an estimated 11,687 people may be affected by the condition3. Many of these cases however can be managed through early diagnosis and monitoring.
Kevin Whelan, Chief Executive of Fighting Blindness, is urging people who are over 50 years of age, and not only those who have a family history of AMD, to have an eye examination every two years:
“While this Guide is a very welcome resource for people with AMD, it is important to remember that there are steps that we can all take to reduce our risk of developing AMD or to secure an early diagnosis so that remedial steps can be taken. It is important that we reduce our risk of AMD and also catch it early so that we can stave off its worst effects and indeed stabilise or improve vision. That is why we encourage everyone over 50, and not only those with a family history of AMD, to have an eye examination every two years.”
Copies of the Guide, which was developed with the support of Bayer, are available by contacting Fighting Blindness at 01 678 9004 or by email at info@fightingblindness.ie
