AMD Week 2006

September 18 to 24, 2006 is earmarked AMD Week around the world. Members of AMD Alliance International--the world's leading vision, seniors, and research organizations--join forces this week in various activities world wide, all with the goal of creating greater awareness of age related macular degeneration, the leading cause of vision loss in the developed world.

AMD Week provides an anchor for us to work towards three goals:

  • Generating awareness and understanding of age-related macular degeneration.
  • Promoting the importance of education, early detection, knowledge of treatment and rehabilitation options, with the objective of increasing the number of people over age 50 who receive regular eye examinations.
  • Preserving vision and improving the quality of life of individuals affected by AMD and increasing the percentage of people with AMD who receive treatment and rehabilitation.

Quality of Life Media Program

Coincident with AMD Week world wide, The University of London will release its research paper, "Quality of Life in age-related macular degeneration." This important review of literature gathers evidence from around the world to illustrate clearly that AMD has a profoundly negative impact on people's lives, and much more could be done to improve outcomes. Increased awareness of AMD and its effects is needed, together with efforts to improve the experience of those diagnosed with AMD through better information and support, improved facilities for rehabilitation and continuing evaluation of interventions using measures of quality of life as well as measure of vision. As the report strongly states, "with the increasing incidence of AMD, urgent action is needed (now)".

AMD Alliance International is using AMD week to issue an urgent call for action. A global campaign on quality of life will be launched during AMD week, with participation from around the world.

Watch for media coverage of this vital issue, and, above all, please be in touch if you have the ability to help us in this essential crusade! For more information on this program, contact AMD Alliance International at info@amdalliance.org

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In addition to the Global Campaign on Quality of Life, here is an overview of some of our AMD programs worldwide during AMD Week.

ITALY - IAPB Italy will partner with regional ophthalmologists and seniors centres to roll out a campaign of eye health through a mobile van. For more information on this program, contact IAPB Secretary General Mr. Tiziano Melchiorre at sezione.italiana@iapb.it

FRANCE - During AMD week and throughout the month of September, Retina France will undertake a public education campaign on AMD through a television campaign. For more information on this campaign, contact Retina France Director of Communications, Mr. Luc Licari at luc.licari@retina.fr

ISRAEL - Pilot project to test AMD awareness, and educational campaign for Soviet Immigrants, South Tel Aviv - Bat Yam region. For more information on this program, contact NAMAG director Dr. Gideon Naor at devor@bezeqint.net

SOUTH AFRICA - physician education program. For more information on this program, contact Retina South Africa President Mrs. Claudette Medefindt at Medefindt@intekom.co.za

UNITED KINGDOM - During AMD Week in the UK, AMD Alliance members will work to educate physicians and nurses on the importance of rapid referral and effective management of AMD. This essential effort will promote to general physicians the importance of education, early detection and knowledge of treatment and rehabilitation options. Promote the importance of patient education. For more information on this campaign contact RNIB Head of Public Policy, Stephen Winyard at swinyard@rnib.org.uk

HONG KONG - Under the banner "Early Detection, Eye Sight Preservation" Retina Hong Kong will mount an important campaign of AMD awareness, possibly including the worlds largest amsler grid! For more information on this program, contact Retina Hong Kong President, Mr. KP Tsang at kptsang@retina.org.hk

GERMANY - AMD tandem tour. For more information on this program, contact Pro Retina Deutschland Director Werner Lec at pro-retina@t-online.de

AUSTRALIA - Is Macular Degeneration sending Australia blind? A public education campaign through cinemas. For more information on this program, contact Macular Degeneration Foundation CEO Mrs. Julie Heraghty at ceo@mdfoundation.com.au

NEW ZEALAND - Projects for AMD Week 2006, patient education through distribution of educational pamphlet and media campaign. For more information on this program, contact Royal New Zealand Foundation for the Blind Director Chris Inglis at cinglis@rnzfb.org.nz

CANADA - take the AMD Challenge, an AMD Online Awareness, patient, public and physician education through a web based interactive tool about AMD. Visit: http://www.cnib.ca/vision-health/amd/index.htm For more information on this program, contact CNIB Director of Communications, Lesley Wilmot at Lesley.wilmot@cnib.ca

UNITED STATES - In partnership with America's leading vision research supporter, the Foundation Fighting Blindness, we will undertake a Radio campaign of public service announcements about AMD. For more information on this program, contact Allie Laban Baker, Senior Director, Communications FFB at alaban-baker@blindness.org

In partnership with Macular Degeneration Partnership, we will reach the heart of America - seniors - through our Vision Pavilion at AARP. For more information about this program contact MDP Executive Director Judith Delgado at jdelgado@discoveryeye.org

In partnership with The Seniors Coalition, we will undertake an essential congressional advocacy campaign targeted specifically to increase the awareness and understanding of AMD among Members of the US Congress, key staff members and Executive Branch policy makers, and to promote to policy makers the importance of education, early detection, knowledge of treatment, etc., with the objective of targeted AMD education messages in their constituent newsletters and on their official websites, as well as distributing an AMD 2006 White Paper that provides a blueprint to public policy makers. For more information about this program, contact David Herman, CEO, The Seniors Coalition at timewheel8@aol.com

South America - We will support our member in South America, Retina Brasil, as they host the world for the Retina International Congress. An expert medical program about AMD will be sponsored by AMD Alliance International, including renowned speakers from the AMDAI Science Advisory Panel including Dr. Gerald Chader, Dr. Usha Chakravarthy, and Dr. Carel Hoyng For more information on this program, contact Retina Brasil at Juliana@pobox.com

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NEWS

06.09.20 Canada: AMD Alliance International, CNIB, Canadian Ophthalmological Society, The Canadian Association of Optometrists, The Foundation Fighting Blindness and the National Coalition for Vision Health launch AMD week Campaign more...

06.09.19 "Age-Related Macular Degeneration can lead to Depression and Suicide Early Detection is Key Factor in Maintaining Patient Quality of Life" America's leading vision, seniors and research organizations join forces in urgent call for action on AMD. more...

06.09.19 AMD Alliance International and University of London release White Paper on Quality of Life in age-related macular degeneration. download file White Paper backgrounder download file

06.09.19 United States: The Seniors Coalition issues AMD Policy Blueprint to protect America's At-Risk Seniors. download PDF

06.09.18 Australia: AMD Alliance International, Macular Degeneration (MD) Foundation, and beyondblue: the national depression initiative, launch AMD week campaign more...

06.09.17 Retina Hong Kong kicks off World's Largest Amsler Grid more...

06.09.17 Singapore's first-ever AMD week kicks off! more...