In the early stages of Macular Degeneration, when drusen first appear, you may not realise anything is wrong and you may still have normal vision. That is the best time to detect the disease.

Your eye works very similar to a camera. The lens at the front of your eye focuses the image onto the retina which lines the back of the eye. The retina acts like the film in the camera. The image is sent from the retina through the optic nerve and interpreted by our brain.

The macula is the very centre of the retina. You are reading this text using your macula. It is responsible for your central, detailed vision. It is responsible for your ability to read, distinguish faces, drive a car and any other activities which require fine vision.

In 2016, the Foundation is highlighting the alarming prevalence of macular degeneration, with one in seven Australians over 50 showing some evidence of the disease.

The Foundation’s Patron, Ita Buttrose, and Ambassador, Jean Kittson, are working closely with the Foundation during the week to communicate eye health messages to the community.

 As a result of Macular Degeneration Awareness Week, awareness levels of macular degeneration in Australia continue to rise. Australia is now a world leader in awareness of macular degeneration with 89% of Australians over the age of 50 now aware of the disease. However there is still more to be done to encourage those at risk to have a regular eye test.

Here at Vision Excellence we ask you to share this information with and encourage anyone you know who is at risk, over 50, has a family history of macula eye disease, is a smoker or is overdue for an eye health test to book in for a comprehensive eye health examination and macula check during May.