This year’s AMD Awareness Week is running from September 22 to 30, to promote early detection of the signs of AMD (Age-related Macular Degeneration ), the most common cause of registered blindness in Ireland. AMD is the principal cause of sight loss for people over the age of 50 in the western world and, although it is not as well known as other eye diseases such as cataracts or glaucoma, it is thought to affect one in 10 Irish people over the age of 50.
Throughout the week, free testing and information will be available to detect the early signs of AMD at a range of participating independent opticians/optometrists in Mayo. A Novartis mobile testing unit will also visit venues in Dublin, Galway, Limerick, Cork and Waterford. Over 50s are encouraged to visit www.AMD.ie to find out more about the eye condition and the free testing locations in their area throughout the week.
