Pharmacy Daily | TWC puts 50s vision loss in its sights

TERRYWHITE Chemmart and the Macular Disease Foundation Australia (MDFA) have teamed up to raise awareness about the importance of monitoring changes in vision for early detection of macular disease.

Age-related macular degeneration affects approximately 1.5 million Australians and is the leading cause of irreversible severe vision loss in the country.

This equates to one in seven Australians over the age of 50 years exhibiting some form of macular degeneration, MDFA stated.

Additionally, between 300,000 and 400,000 are affected by diabetic retinopathy, the leading cause of preventable blindness among the working-age population.

Despite the high prevalence of macular disease in the Australian community, at least 25% of cases remain undiagnosed.

To tackle this issue, MDFA and TerryWhite Chemmart are providing the 50 plus community with a fast and easy way to understand and assess their risk factors for macular disease.

"Our partnership with Macular Disease Foundation Australia has helped us to start conversations with patients and get these important tools into their hands," said Brenton Hart, Chief Pharmacist at TerryWhite Chemmart.

"We look to raise awareness of these tools including the Check My Macula online quiz."

In less than one minute, a TerryWhite Chemmart customer can learn about their risk of developing age-related macular degeneration and diabetic eye disease and then schedule an eye test with their local optometrist.

In addition to the risk assessment quiz, MDFA has provided the TerryWhite Chemmart pharmacy network with Amsler grids (pictured), which patients can collect for free at their local pharmacy.

The Amsler grid is an essential home monitoring tool for people over 50 years of age to pick up any changes to their vision in between their eye tests.

Patients are encouraged to place the Amsler grid on their fridge and check their vision at home on a weekly basis.

If any changes are noticed, it is essential to book an appointment with a local eye health professional immediately, MDFA advised. JG