Macular Degeneration New Zealand

Macular Degeneration New Zealand aims :

  • To enhance the quality of life of people with macular degeneration and support the associated macular degeneration community.
  • To promote education about and awareness of macular degeneration in the wider community of New Zealand.
  • To support and pursue research into the causes, prevention and treatment of and possible cures for macular degeneration.
  • To advocate for access to evidence based treatments and advance the best interests of the entire macular degeneration community.

Key Facts on Macular Degeneration

  • MD is the leading cause of blindness in the over 50 age group in NZ
  • MD affects 1 in 7 people over 50 years
  • Approximately 25,000 New Zealanders are affected with wet MD with up to 800 new cases per year
  • Untreated, the majority of people with wet MD become functionally (legally) blind within 2 years
  • Current smokers have 3 times the risk of developing MD and will develop it 10 years earlier