Macular Disease Foundation Australia (MDFA) is the national peak body representing the interests of the 8.5m Australians living with or at risk of macular disease and their families.
More than 1.4 million Australians have some evidence of AMD – the leading cause of irreversible severe vision loss and blindness in Australia – while between 300,000 and 400,000 Australians live with diabetic retinopathy – the leading cause of preventable blindness among people of a working age.
Orthoptists are at the frontline of patient interactions and have a valuable role in decreasing preventable blindness and in being an important part of the solution to reduce both the incidence and impact of macular disease.
We have developed evidence-based resources, support programs and education to support you as health professionals, and your patients.
REFER YOUR PATIENTS
You can refer a patient to Macular Disease Foundation Australia at any stage of their macular disease journey – the earlier the better. We’ll help you support them with free information and non-clinical wellbeing support.
EYE CONNECT, AUSTRALIA'S FIRST COMPREHENSIVE SUPPORT SERVICE FOR PATIENTS LIVING WITH AUSTRALIA"S LEADING CAUSE OF BLINDNESS.
National peak body Macular Disease Foundation Australia (MDFA) has launched Eye Connect – Australia’s first comprehensive support service for people living with macular disease, which is estimated to affect 1.9 million Australians nationwide.1,2
Studies have shown that only 56 percent of patients with macular disease recall receiving a clear diagnosis, including the name of their condition,3 with 58 percent of patients unable to recall receiving any lifestyle modification advice from their eyecare professional.4
MDFA has responded to this knowledge gap with Eye Connect, which enables people to access free, evidence-based support in between appointments with their eyecare professional.
Eye Connect is currently available to people living with any stage of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). It has been developed based on insights from a neovascular AMD pilot program and extensive research involving people living with macular disease, carers, ophthalmologists and optometrists. In the near future the service will be expanded to support a number of other macular conditions.
A new Eye Connect community service video for eyecare professionals produced by MDFA is available here. The aim of the video is to provide eyecare professionals with an understanding of how MDFA can support their patients after they leave the clinic.
Eye Connect offers a range of tailored support in three key areas:
• Health information: patients are provided with evidence-based information about macular disease, and non-clinical support services to help them confidently manage their condition.
• Practical advice: Tips and guidance on things like nutrition for healthy eyes, immediate care after their appointments, daily living with reduced or low vision, and transport advice.
• Emotional support: For some, a diagnosis of macular disease – or living with an eye condition – can be a difficult time. The Eye Connect team can help patients manage some of the worries and concerns people may have about their diagnosis and treatment. Eye Connect can also connect patients to peer support where they can connect with trained volunteers and other people also living with macular disease.
SUPPORT YOUR MACULAR DISEASE PATIENTS
MDFA knows accessing the right information at the right time can support people to adjust to a macular disease diagnosis and support them to live well with this disease.
In partnership with MyInteract, MDFA have developed a free mobile application providing a single place for patients to view resources tailored to their diagnosis, to help with adjust and live well with the disease.
Patients can easily access the MyInteract app by scanning a QR code from their smart device or via a weblink in their browser. They will then be presented with information personalised for their condition.
If you would like to give your patients access to the app, you can download and print flyers to be displayed in your practice or clinic setting.
Download a flyer for your clinic now!
FREE CPD FOR ORTHOPTISTS
MDFA has launched free, Commonwealth funded CPD courses for orthoptists on Age-related Macular Degeneration and Diabetic Eye Disease. The courses have been developed in response to the National Strategic Action Plan for Macular Disease with Australia’s leading retinal specialists.
FREE PATIENT RESOURCES FOR YOUR CLINIC
We have compiled two healthcare professional resource packs filled with our most popular, evidence-based, macular related resources for your patients.
SUBSCRIBE TO MACULA MATTERS
Macula Matters is our free e-newsletter for eye health professionals interested in keeping up-to-date with the latest news on macular disease, and updates from the MDFA.