In Focus: Communication gap identified in macular research

A gap in communication between eye care professionals (ECPs) and patients has been identified when diagnosed with, or considered at risk of developing, macular disease.

The Macular Society carried out two surveys – one with patients and one with ECPs – to gain a better understanding of how macular disease affects patients and evaluated the communication of necessary information between ECPs and patients.

Results, which were published in science journal Nature, highlighted a difference in what ECPs thought they said to patients and what was actually remembered by patients.

Cathy Yelf, chief executive at the Macular Society, said: ‘It’s vital people with macular disease are helped to understand their diagnosis, what their treatment will be, if there is any, and that they are effectively directed to support outside their clinical care.’