In Focus: Charity awareness week signposts support services

^{A SpaMedica event for Cataract Awareness Month}

Eye care professionals (ECPs) have been encouraged to participate in raising awareness about eye diseases and signposting patients to support services. June was Cataract Awareness Month and the week of 24-30 June marked Macular Week, Glaucoma Awareness Week and Deafblind Awareness Week. 

Charities and service providers were active in highlighting key messages, sharing patient experiences and hosting educational coffee mornings. The Macular Society highlighted that macular disease was the leading cause of sight loss in the UK and affected nearly 1.5m people. 

Cathy Yelf, CEO at the Macular Society, said: ‘This week is a vital opportunity to highlight the profound impact of the disease on people’s lives and emphasise the urgent need for improved treatments and care. Our goal is to rally the community, including ECPs, to enhance understanding and management of macular disease and emphasise the importance of funding research so a cure can be found.’