Understanding Macular Degeneration

Macular degeneration is becoming an important public health issue.

Increasing resources are being directed at better understanding the disease and the development of new therapeutic options. Gone are the days when patients were told “there is nothing more we can offer you” with almost certainty that severe vision loss would result. Patients now have a 95% chance of stabilising or increasing vision with appropriate intervention, but early detection and prompt treatment are vital.

This course is designed to provide you with an understanding of MD, how to identify MD in your patients and what investigations are appropriate, what to recommend to your patients with MD and when and to whom to refer your patients. It also provides an overview of what patients can expect on referral to a specialist, treatment options, outcomes, available resources and what the future holds.

Acknowledgements

This content has been developed by Dr Andrew Thompson. Andrew is an ophthalmologist in Tauranga, has a subspecialty interest in the retina and is a trustee of Macular Degeneration New Zealand (MDNZ). The course was updated in 2020.