Allies seek to disarm time bomb

A new toolkit to allow healthcare practitioners to disarm what was said to be 'a European time bomb' of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) sight loss has been launched jointly by AMD Alliance International (AMDAI), World Blind Union and International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness.

The organisations said that more needed to be done to recognise the growth in age related sight loss and make appropriate interventions. They said the new toolkit would help governments and other bodies understand the challenges and plan necessary services.

'The toolkit we have launched at our Regional EU meeting in Rome should in the first place help local organisations and healthcare practitioners develop awareness-raising initiatives for older people who are at higher risk of developing AMD, but also their friends, relatives and carers,' said Narinder Sharma, CEO of AMDAI.