Stephen
Metcalfe MP is joining the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) to
urge constituents in South Basildon and East Thurrock to learn how to spot the
signs of wet Age- related macular degeneration (AMD).
AMD
is the biggest cause of sight loss in the UK but can be prevented with quick
intervention. RNIB can help you understand the early signs of wet AMD - just
Google Spot the Signs.
Lack
of awareness is risking thousands of people's sight each year. Nearly half of
adults (48 per cent) have never heard of the condition and only just over a
third of adults (36 per cent) would make an appointment with their GP or
optician straight away if they started experiencing blurry vision or wavy
lines.
Stephen
Metcalfe MP is supporting RNIB's 'Spot the signs' campaign to encourage over
50s to recognise the early signs of AMD. These are:
•
Straight lines start to appear wavy, curved or distorted.
•
Small print becomes difficult to read even when wearing reading glasses
•
People’s faces start to appear blurry.
There
are two main types of AMD, wet and dry. There is no current treatment for dry
AMD but sight saving treatment is available for the wet type if diagnosed in
time.
About
40,000 people develop wet AMD each year, however both the public and medical
profession are failing to recognise the urgency needed to diagnose and treat
the condition which can take your eye sight in as little as three months.
Mr
Metcalfe commented: “I would strongly urge anyone who is over 50 and anyone in
the medical profession to find out how to spot the signs of AMD. The
deterioration of your sight can be managed with treatment if caught in time.
Sight is an extremely precious thing and I hate to think of people losing it if
it can be prevented.”
RNIB's
research report - Don't lose sight! Don't delay! reveals that Just under 70 per
cent of patients were not diagnosed within seven days in accordance with
professional guidance - increasing their chances of permanently losing their
central vision.
Steve
Winyard, Head of Policy and campaigns at RNIB, said: "We welcome the
support of Stephen Metcalfe MP in raising awareness of the signs of wet AMD.
Losing your central vision can have profound consequences, with many people
unable to carry out basic tasks such as driving, chopping vegetables, reading a
newspaper or writing a shopping list. However, it doesn't have to be this way
and people need to be aware of the early sign of wet AMD so they can act
quickly and avoid sight loss."
To
find out more on how to Spot the signs of AMD and other eye diseases visit www.rnibspotthesigns.org.uk or
call RNIB Helpline on 0303 123 9999.
