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More Needed to Save Our Sight

3 JUNE 2015

More Needed to Save Our Sight

The government is not doing enough to address Macular Degeneration (MD) despite it being New Zealand’s leading cause of blindness, says New Zealand First.

“Last week was Macular Degeneration Awareness Week yet due to insufficient funding there was no campaign to raise national awareness,” says Health Spokesperson Barbara Stewart.

“Currently only 50 percent of New Zealanders are aware of the dangers of MD compared with 90 percent of Australians.

“We need to invest in raising awareness because treatment is only available if symptoms are found early.

“With New Zealand’s rapidly ageing population MD is expected to affect over 200,000 New Zealanders within 10 years. Already 1 in 7 people over the age of 50 are suffering from the disease, which can cause total blindness within three months if left untreated.

“Now is the time to act to ensure more Kiwis keep their sight,” says Mrs Stewart.

ENDS

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