Free seminars on eye disease
Free education and treatment seminars are to be held in the south this weekend for anyone worried about or wanting to learn more about the leading cause of blindness in New Zealand.
Macular degeneration affects one out of seven people aged over 50 years and Macular Degeneration New Zealand is keen to raise awareness because less than half of the atrisk age-group is aware of the disease.
A spokeswoman said the organisation was keen to see southerners learn more about the eye disease so they could undertake preventative measures and be encouraged to have their eyes tested.
It was important that everyone over the age of 50 had their macula, an oval- shaped pigmented area near the centre of the retina, checked regularly, particularly those with a family history of the disease because they had a 50 per cent greater chance of developing the disease, she said.
The most severe form of the disease, wet macular degeneration, accounts for the greatest proportion of people with severe vision loss and can develop quickly over weeks or months.
The free seminars will be led by Dunedin ophthalmologist Dr Harry Bradshaw, who will share the latest information on research and treatments.
The seminars will be held in Wanaka, 10am on Saturday at Peak Functions, 181-185 Upton St; and in Invercargill, 2pm on Sunday at the Kelvin Hotel. Call 0800 622852 or email info@mdnz.org.nz to register your attendance.