Australia’s New South Wales (NSW) Government has allocated A$180,000 ($108,079) to improve treatment and support for individuals affected by macular disease.
It is a one-off grant that will assist the Macular Disease Foundation Australia (MDFA) in mitigating the disease’s impact on 1.9 million Australians and their families.
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NSW health minister Ryan Park said: “Macular disease impacts around one in seven Australians over the age of 50 years and, in some cases, can even lead to blindness.
“The NSW government is supporting Macular Disease Foundation Australia to ensure more people across NSW who are at risk of this disease have access to sight-saving care and support.”
Macular disease is one of the main causes of severe vision loss and blindness within the country.
The support aims to offer prevention, early detection of the disease, and further research into the illness.
MDFA offers a range of services, including a confidential helpline, peer support groups, and resources for those living with or at risk of macular disease and their families.
The foundation also campaigns for regional patient access to cost-effective anti-vascular endothelial growth factor eye injections.
These treatments can slow or, in some instances, prevent vision loss caused by conditions such as neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic macular oedema, and retinal vein occlusion.
Macular Disease Foundation Australia CEO Dr Kathy Chapman said: “Today marks a significant moment in Macular Disease Foundation Australia’s fight for sight.
“With the generous support from the NSW government, we are pleased to be working with NSW Health to drive access to sight-saving treatments so no Australian needlessly goes blind from macular disease.”
This funding announcement follows the state government’s A$3m investment in the End of Life and Palliative Care Research Grant Programme earlier this year.
