Free sight screening

The Macular Degeneration Foundation's Vision Van visited Club Umina on September 24, offering free screening for age-related macular degeneration to people aged 50 years and over.

The mobile screening unit began its 14,000 kilometre journey in Sydney on September 22.

Over its 90-day journey, the Vision Van will visit more than 35 towns across NSW, Queensland, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia.

A qualified optometrist is travelling with the van to perform 15-minute macula checks to an estimated 2000 people across Australia.

"Alarmingly, too many Australians readily accept blindness as simply a part of the ageing process," the Foundation's director Dr Paul Beaumont said.

"This is really unacceptable, as early detection of diseases such as age-related macular degeneration can prevent someone from going blind.

"It's our hope that this initiative will go some way in helping save the sight of potentially thousands of Australians living in regional areas who are at risk."

Terry Izzard from Izzard Optometrists in Woy Woy and Umina said macular degeneration was an eye disease that caused loss of central vision, leaving only peripheral vision intact.

"It is the leading cause of legal blindness for people over 50 in the western world," Mr Izzard said.

"Macular degeneration is most commonly related to ageing and it is divided into two types known simply as wet or dry.

"Dry macular degeneration is the more common form (with around 90 per cent) and has no real treatment available.

"The wet type occurs about 10 per cent of the time, but the chance of severe sight loss is much greater."

Co-owner of Izzard Optometrists Mr Greg Izzard said early detection of any form of macular degeneration was crucial because lost vision could not be regained.

"Early diagnosis, through regular eye exams approximately every two years, offers eye care practitioners opportunity to provide counselling about appropriate options for treatment, rehabilitation and support services," Mr Izzard said.

Press release, 17 Sep 2008 Macular Degeneration Foundation Clare Graham, 24 Sep 2008 Interviewee: Greg and Terry Izzard, Izzard Optometrists