A macular disease update for eye health professionals
Thank you for reading this version of Macula Matters, MDFA’s newsletter for healthcare professionals.
In this edition, you’ll hear about MDFA’s efforts to improve patient access to sight-saving treatment, updates from the Centre for Eye Research Australia and two UNSW researchers, the latest CPD you can access, and two potential new treatments for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) and diabetic macular oedema (DMO).
Plus, don’t miss our upcoming webinar on Innovations in Eyecare – read all the details and register today.
And don’t forget, Macula Month is coming up in May. Toolkits, social media content and other digital assets will be available soon, as will new HCP webinars. We’ll be in touch soon with more details.
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MDFA advocacy: Access to IVI treatment
Imagine a place where patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration can maintain good vision 10 or more years from diagnosis. That place is Australia… for now.
MDFA continues to urge Government to make sight-saving treatment more accessible for every Australian, opposing the recommended 69% cut to the MBS rebate for anti-VEGF eye injections.
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Update: Reticular pseudodrusen in AMD
Centre for Eye Research Australia researchers Dr Zhichao Wu, Dr Himeesh Kumar and Prof Robyn Guymer provide the latest on reticular pseudodrusen (RPD): what are they, why are they significant, and where to from here?
This update includes details of CERA’s numerous clinical studies and trials for AMD patients, as well as a multiple-choice quiz to test your knowledge.
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MDFA to launch CPD for pharmacists and GPs
MDFA will release CPD courses on age-related macular degeneration and diabetic eye disease to GPs and pharmacists soon.
GPs and pharmacists are on the front line of patient interactions, and play a crucial role in collaborative care pathways.
Reminder: CPD courses on AMD and diabetic eye disease are also available for optometrists and orthoptists. These accredited, self-paced courses take about 1.5 hours to complete with assessment.
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HCP webinar: Innovations in eyecare
Join us on Wednesday 23 March at 6.30pm (AEDT) for a webinar about recent innovations in eyecare.
Dr Devinder Chauhan will discuss his with Macuject – an artificial intelligence computer vision model for OCT analysis that assists in the management of AMD.
Professor Algis Vingrys will discuss his work on the Melbourne Rapid Fields, a novel and unique vision test on both an iPad tablet and browser platform.
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Optometrists needed for trial study
Researchers at the University of New South Wales, led by A/Prof Isabelle Jalbert, are seeking optometrists to participate in an intervention designed to improve the appropriateness of glaucoma and diabetic eyecare delivery.
The three-month intervention includes:
• iCareTrack Assessment of appropriateness in Clinical practice Tool (i-ACT) for self-assessment
• Educational activities
• Peer support groups -
Patients sought for AMD quality of life study
Quality of life is a concept we all understand, yet reliable quantification is complex and challenging.
MDFA Research Grant recipient Dr Sheela Kumaran is working to develop better tools to understand the effects that age-related macular degeneration has on people’s lives.
Dr Kumaran is looking for people with AMD to volunteer for this study, which is building a new computerised instrument to measure their QoL.
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Potential new treatments for nAMD and DMO
Burden and cost are major problems for patients receiving anti-VEGF intravitreal injections. New treatments facing PBAC scrutiny may offer valuable benefits.
The US FDA recently approved two treatments: Susvimo® (ranibizumab port delivery system) and Vabysmo® (faricimab).
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Order free patient resources from our website
A friendly reminder that healthcare professionals can order fact sheets, booklets and brochures for your patients direct from our website.
You’ll find publications on AMD, diabetic eye disease and other macular conditions – free of charge.
Posted: 24 February 2022
