Macular Disease Foundation Australia has marked a significant milestone at Parliament House, celebrating 25 years of dedicated work to protect the sight of Australians living with macular disease.
The event brought parliamentarians together with clinicians, leaders from the eye-health sector and members of the macular disease community. Discussion centred on the shared belief that vision loss is an unacceptable cost, with a collective commitment to improve the accessibility and affordability of treatment for people living with macular disease.
It was also an opportunity to celebrate a recent win for community advocacy in stopping the planned Medical Benefits Schedule (MBS) changes to claiming private health insurance for eye injections. This means people with macular disease who currently receive eye injection treatment in private hospitals or day surgery settings will still be able to claim this procedure through their private health insurance.
In a special message, Federal Health Minister, the Hon. Mark Butler MP, expressed his gratitude to Macular Disease Foundation for 25 years of dedicated service to the macular disease community.
“Your advocacy for people living with macular disease is absolutely vital in raising awareness and shaping better eye health initiatives.”
We thank the Federal Health Minister for his support and remain committed to working with the Federal Government to improve the affordability of sight-saving treatment and to expand access to public eye injection services.
Vid embargo – Text to accompany video on page: Federal Health Minister’s message of support for Macular Disease Foundation
Posted: 23 March 2026
Jillian Skinner calls for urgent action on affordable eye injections
At Macular Disease Foundation Australia’s 25th anniversary event at Parliament House in Canberra, former NSW Health Minister the Hon. Jillian Skinner AM delivered a powerful reminder of what is at stake for Australians living with macular disease.
