Refer your AMD patients to Eye Connect

Introducing Australia’s first support service for people living with AMD

When you diagnose a patient with macular disease, you provide them with information about their condition, and actions they can take to help support the health of their macula.

But how much of that do they remember when they get home?

Research shows there’s a disparity between what eye care professional say they share, and what patients report receiving.

Why is support important for your patients?

• Only 56% of patients recall receiving a clear diagnosis, including the name of their condition.¹
• Less than half (45%) of patients recall receiving an explanation of what may happen to their vision in the future.¹
• 58% of patients were unable to recall receiving any lifestyle modification advice from their eyecare professional.² 
• Patients who require eye injections don’t always understand they’re a lifelong commitment and are reluctant to ask their health practitioner for further information.¹
• 20% of patients with wet AMD stop their eye injections within the first year.³

That’s why we’ve introduced Australia’s first AMD patient support service.

MDFA has developed Australia’s first and only tailored support service for anyone diagnosed with age-related macular degeneration.

MDFA provides extended support focusing on three areas:

Health information. We’ll provide your patients with evidence-based information about macular disease, and non-clinical support services to help them confidently manage your condition,

Practical advice. Tips and guidance on things like nutrition for healthy eyes, immediate care after eye appointment, daily living with reduced or low vision, and even travel tips.

Emotional support. For some, a diagnosis of macular disease – or living with an eye condition – can be a difficult time. Our team can help your patients manage some of the worries and concerns they may have about their diagnosis and treatment. We can also connect them to peer support.

How to refer

You can connect a patient using our online form or via Oculo. Macular Disease Foundation can also provide you with a pad of referral sheets, fill in the relevant details and hand this to your patient to allow them to self-connect. Email [email protected] with your clinic details to order a supply of referral pads today.

Once we have your patient’s details, we’ll make contact within two business days. This will be followed with a Welcome Pack, containing information tailored to their particular macular disease. They’ll continue to receive ongoing support from Macular Disease Foundation according to their preference – by email, by post, or by phone.

Our support services have been designed in collaboration with patients, carers and eye care professionals to ensure your patients get the best care in between their appointments with you.

Start referring your patients to MDFA today.

References

1. Clinton, S., Hoad, G., Bloomfield, P. et al. Comparing views of patients and eye care professionals on the information provided on age-related macular degeneration and diabetic macular oedema. Eye (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41433-024-02939-z.

2. Dave, S., Binns, A., Vinuela-Navarro, V., Callaghan, T., What Advice Is Currently Given to Patients with Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) by Eyecare Practitioners, and How Effective Is It at Bringing about a Change in Lifestyle? A Systematic Review. Nutrients. 2022 Nov 3;14(21):4652. DOI: 10.3390/nu14214652.

3. Obeid, A., Gao, X., Hsu, J. et al. Loss to follow-up among patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration who received intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor injections. JAMA Ophthalmol. 2018;136(11):1251-1259. DOI: 10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2018.3578.