Southside helps to host a new eye health campaign

THE Southside will be hosting two mobile testing units as part of a new campaign to highlight the importance of getting regular eye tests to protect eyesight and prevent sight loss.

‘Never Miss the Wonder’ was launched last week to mark Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) Awareness Week, which runs from September 19 – 25.

A serious eye disease, Age-Related Macular Degeneration is the leading cause of blindness for people aged over 50 in Ireland.

A dedicated mobile testing van will travel to Dublin during AMD Awareness Week offering free AMD eye tests and information to the public on Tuesday, September 20 at County Library Tallaght, Library Square, from 10am to 1pm and at the Lexicon Library, Dún Laoghaire, from 2pm to 6pm.

Free AMD testing will also be available in participating optometrists nationwide.

A full list of the free eye testing locations can be found at www.AMD.ie.

AMD Ambassador Mary Kennedy was on hand to officially launch the ‘Never Miss the Wonder’ photograph competition to highlight the wonders in everyday life, and encourage discussion on the potential impact of AMD on quality of life.

Everyone is invited to submit photos of their personally chosen ‘wonder’ and be in with a chance to win a €300 voucher, with two runner-up prizes of €100 each.

A selection of winning entries will be created into a specially-designed photobook and displayed at a launch event to kick off AMD Awareness Week. 

Now in its ninth year, AMD Awareness Week is a nationwide health initiative supported by Fighting Blindness, NCBI – the national sight loss organisation – the Irish College of Ophthalmologists (ICO), the Association of Optometrists Ireland (AOI), and Novartis Ireland. 

Dr Mark Cahill, consultant eye surgeon, and spokesperson for the Irish College of Ophthalmologists, said: “Age-Related Macular Degeneration is one of the most common causes of sight loss in older adults in Ireland, however, it is a manageable and treatable eye disease

“The outcome for patients with AMD has greatly improved with modern treatment in the past decade, and a condition that would have led to certain sight loss in the past, thankfully does not hold such a fearful outlook for patients”

Chris White, CEO of the NCBI added: “Our NCBI shops nationwide will be getting behind this year’s AMD awareness week, hosting coffee mornings and encouraging everyone to discuss this important health initiative so they can recognise the signs of AMD as early as possible.”

Kevin Whelan, CEO, Fighting Blindness said: “Fighting Blindness provides information and support to people and families affected by vision loss. This awareness week aims to increase understanding of this disease, highlight the symptoms, and encourage anyone affected to speak to their eye specialist. If you are worried about your sight, visit the Novartis mobile testing unit or one of the participating optometrists.” 

For more on the Never Miss the Wonder photo competition visit www.AMD.ie.