What is Check My Macula?
Take the short Check My Macula quiz to determine if you have any risk factors for macular disease.
Macular disease can affect anyone, at any age. The most common macular disease is age-related macular degeneration (AMD). In fact, it’s responsible for half of all cases of blindness and severe vision loss in Australia. Meanwhile, diabetic eye disease is the number one cause of preventable blindness in working-age Australians.
So are you at risk? Take the Check My Macula quiz and, in one minute, you’ll know your risk factors.
Why do I need to check my macula?
One in seven people over the age of 50 have signs of age-related macular degeneration.
If you have diabetes and you’re over 50, you have a one in three chance of having diabetic retinopathy.
Knowing your risks, and having regular macula checks, is the only way to protect your vision.
You can have early signs of macular disease without knowing. But early action could help save your sight.
What is age-related macular degeneration?
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a chronic disease of the macula. The macula is an area at the very centre of the retina, at the back of your eye.
It’s the most common macular disease in Australia. At this time, AMD is responsible for half of all blindness and severe vision loss in this country.
Age-related macular degeneration causes progressive loss of central vision. It does, however, leave the peripheral vision intact. This loss of central vision affects the ability to read, watch TV, and recognise faces. But, by itself, AMD doesn’t lead to total vision loss (black blindness).
What is diabetic eye disease?
Approximately 1.7 million Australians have diabetes. This includes 1.2 million with diagnosed (known) diabetes. So this means an estimated 500,000 Australians have undiagnosed type 2 diabetes.
Diabetes can affect your eyes in several ways. The most common type of diabetic eye disease is diabetic retinopathy. It’s important to know that everyone with diabetes is at risk of diabetic eye disease.
Want to know more?
Doing the Check My Macula quiz will take just one minute. Afterwards, you’ll be directed to some free resources from Macular Disease Foundation Australia that directly address your individual risk factors.
We also have a handy online tool to help you find an optometrist in your area. Of course, continue seeing your usual optometrist, if you already have one.
Our friendly team will be able to explain your risk factors, and what you can do to be proactive about your macular health. All MDFA services are free.
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