Why Refer Your Patients to MDFA 

While you provide clinical care and information during your consultations, research shows patients often leave appointments without fully understanding their condition or the steps they can take at home: 

• Only 56% of patients recall receiving a clear diagnosis, including the name of their condition¹. 
• Less than half (45%) recall receiving an explanation of what may happen to their vision in the future¹. 
• Over half (58%) do not remember receiving lifestyle modification advice². 
• Many patients requiring eye injections do not understand the long-term nature of their treatment, and 20% of patients with wet AMD stop injections within the first year³. 

MDFA bridges this gap by reinforcing your guidance and helping patients feel more confident and supported in their daily lives. 

It’s not just about providing clinical treatment – it’s about helping patients lead fulfilling lives despite the challenges posed by vision loss.

Meri Galoyan 
Senior Staff Optometrist, Centre for Eye Health 

How MDFA supports your patients

We’ve been supporting the macular degeneration community since 2001 and macular disease and diabetes related eye conditions more broadly since 2012.  

Professional, personalised and free support 

All MDFA’s support services are free and delivered by a dedicated Helpline team with backgrounds in clinical orthoptics, optometry, or vision science. Every team member receives additional training to ensure empathetic, informed, and appropriate support at every step. 

Health information 

MDFA provides evidence-based information about macular disease and diabetes-related eye conditions. All resources are approved by our Medical Committee, made up of some Australia’s leading retinal specialists. 

Practical advice 

Our team understands the common barriers faced by people living with macular disease and is equipped to guide your patients through them. 

Emotional and peer support 

A diagnosis of macular disease or a diabetes-related eye condition can be overwhelming. Our team can help your patients manage some of the worries and concerns about their diagnosis and treatment. We can also connect them to peer support. Patients presenting with more complex issues are guided toward services more equipped to manage mental health challenges. 

How a referral to MDFA benefits health professionals

• Reinforces your clinical advice and helps patients retain key information. 
• Reduces the burden on your practice by offering trusted, evidence-based ongoing support and education. 
• Reduces the risk of your patients disengaging from essential treatments or missing appointments. 

Eye Connect fills the gap that we as clinicians may not have the expertise or the time to provide.

Associate Professor Fred Chen 
Consultant Ophthalmologist, Lions Eye Institute 

How to Refer 

You can refer a patient using our  online referral form or order a referral pad for your clinic.  

Once we have your patient’s details, we aim to make contact within two business days.

Eye Connect – Australia’s first free support service for people living with AMD, diabetic retinopathy or diabetic macular oedema 

Introducing Eye Connect 

Whilst some of your patients may only need a phone call, others may benefit from more comprehensive and structured support over 12 months. 

That’s why we worked with the macular disease community to develop Eye Connect, bringing together health literacy, practical advice and emotional support into a single service.   

Eye Connect is available for people with age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and diabetic macular oedema. When you refer your patient to MDFA our team can discuss Eye Connect to see if it’s right for them. 

I’ve gone from knowing nothing about my condition to understanding it very clearly. I’m so glad I joined this program.

Margaret – Eye Connect participant

What will your patients receive? 

We have created content exclusive to Eye Connect including Mythbuster factsheets dispelling myths about life with their condition, driving, receiving injections, nutrition and so much more.  

Each month users receive a module that increases their understanding of their condition and supports them to live well in between their appointments with you. If you would like to view a sample of these resources, please order a FREE Eye Connect: Healthcare Professional Preview Pack  today.  

References

^1. Clinton, S., Hoad, G., Bloomfield, P. et al. Comparing views of patients and eye care professionals on the information provided on age-related macular degeneration and diabetic macular oedema. Eye (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41433-024-02939-z. 

^2. Dave, S., Binns, A., Vinuela-Navarro, V., Callaghan, T., What Advice Is Currently Given to Patients with Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) by Eyecare Practitioners, and How Effective Is It at Bringing about a Change in Lifestyle? A Systematic Review. Nutrients. 2022 Nov 3;14(21):4652. DOI: 10.3390/nu14214652. 

^3. Obeid, A., Gao, X., Hsu, J. et al. Loss to follow-up among patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration who received intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor injections. JAMA Ophthalmol. 2018;136(11):1251-1259. DOI: 10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2018.3578.