MANDURAH residents were informed about macular degeneration (MD) in a seminar last week.
Macular Disease Foundation education officer Georgina Ryan hosted the forum at the Mandurah Performing Art Centre to raise awareness in the local community about Australia’s leading cause of blindness.
Mandurah MLA David Templeman said according to 2012 data the Mandurah electorate was ranked second out of 59 for the estimated prevalence of MD.
“The estimated number of people in the Mandurah electorate with macular degeneration or early stage development was over 2000 people,” he said.
Ms Ryan said she knew very little about the retinal eye disease before her mum was diagnosed.
“Mum called me and said her optometrist told her she had macular degeneration,” Mrs Ryan said.
“I had never heard it.”
Ms Ryan said macular degeneration was usually related to aging and caused the loss of central vision; it does not result in total blindness.
“One in seven people over 50 have the early stages of MD with no signs or early signs,” she said.
Ms Ryan, who has now also been diagnosed with the early stages of MD, said speed was vital when it came to MD as treatments to slow or stop damage are available.
“If you see any changes get down to the optometrist immediately,” she said.
For more information call the Macular Disease Foundation helpline on 1800 111 709.
