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Urgent Action Needed to Combat the Global Rise in AMD-Related Blindness


    AMD Action, an initiative being spearheaded by advocacy
    groups, physicians and government representatives from 21 countries,
    issued today a "Call to Action" to address the increasing incidence of
    age-related macular degeneration (AMD) - a debilitating eye condition
    which can rapidly lead to blindness.
    "We call upon governments, medical, professional and consumer
    groups to recognise the increasing burden of AMD-related blindness and
    to address the crisis with urgency by promoting and supporting:

    -- Education,

    -- Prevention,

    -- Early detection,

    -- Timely access to treatment for all,

    -- Rehabilitation and social services, and

    -- Research."

    More than 100 international experts in age-related blindness
    developed the "Call to Action" at a Summit organised by the AMD
    Alliance International (AMDAI) and the AMD Action Global Steering
    Committee.
    Steve Winyard, AMDAI Chairman and Head of Public Policy, Royal
    National Institute of the Blind, UK commented, "AMD hits particularly
    hard in areas with rapidly ageing populations, such as Europe. Each
    year there are an estimated 500,000 new cases of wet AMD worldwide, so
    it is crucially important to increase awareness and understanding of
    the disease so that people can make informed lifestyle choices to
    reduce both vision loss and associated costs. In the five largest
    countries in Europe, the average annual cost of AMD in the EU ranges
    between 700 million euros and three billion euros."(1)
    AMD affects between 25 and 30 million people globally and is the
    leading cause of blindness in developed countries.(2)
    As the "baby boom" generation ages, the incidence of AMD is
    expected to triple by the year 2025.(3)
    Patients with the wet form of AMD can become blind in as little as
    three months if not treated early.(4)
    Yet awareness and understanding of AMD is low. A recent European
    AMD awareness survey revealed 80 percent of the population had not
    heard of wet AMD and only 38 percent recognised smoking as a risk
    factor for the disease.(5)
    "Both the incidence and prevalence of AMD is increasing. There are
    new treatments becoming available that can help prevent vision loss
    but early treatment with these therapies is the key. It is therefore
    vital that physicians have access to safe, effective, licensed
    treatments that can really help maintain the independence of AMD
    patients for as long as possible," said Dr Alan Cruess, AMD Action
    Summit Moderator and Professor and Head Department of Ophthalmology &
    Visual Sciences Dalhousie University, Canada.
    Day two of the AMD Action Summit focuses the delegates on
    developing national level action plans to tackle challenges specific
    to their countries.

    Notes to Editors

    The AMD Alliance International is a non-profit coalition of
    vision, research and seniors organisations working to raise awareness
    of AMD, of treatment and rehabilitation options and of the importance
    of early detection. Alliance membership currently includes 55
    non-profit organisations from 21 countries, including world-renowned
    leaders in ophthalmology, vision rehabilitation, patient and senior's
    advocacy, and research.
    Together with the AMD Alliance International, the AMD Action
    Summit has been developed in partnership and with the support of world
    leading ophthalmologists and advocacy groups. The Global Steering
    Committee comprises Dr Hugh Taylor (Australia), Dr Alan Cruess
    (Canada), Prof Usha Chakravarthy (Ireland), Prof Frank Holz (Germany),
    RNIB (UK), Macular Degeneration Foundation (Australia), CNIB (Canada),
    Retina International, Pro Retina Germany, IAPB Italy and Retina France
    International.
    The AMD Awareness Survey was conducted in February 2006. The
    countries included were the United Kingdom, France, Spain, Germany,
    Italy and Canada and involved 3,675 respondents. The survey was
    designed to examine the level of awareness of AMD including its
    symptoms and modifiable risk factors.
    The AMD Action Summit has been made possible with funding from
    Pfizer Ophthalmics.

    (1)AMD BOI Study: Pfizer data on file
    (2)WHO: Magnitude and causes of visual impairment. Factsheet 282.
    November 04
    (3)AMD Alliance International Website
    http://www.amdalliance.com/media/media-kit/amd-facts.asp
    (4)AMD Alliance International Campaign Report 2003. Country
    Reports on Early Detection and Low Vision Rehabilitation
    (5)Pfizer data on file