Key Facts About MD

• MD affects 1 in 7 people over 50 years

• The prevalence of visual impairment from MD will almost double in the next 20 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

• The cost of legal blindness due to increased falls and admission to residential care is $21,000 per year

• Visual impairment decreases the quality and length of life

• There is over 40% higher incidence of depression in MD patients than elderly people without MD

• 50% of people who have MD in one eye will develop MD in their second eye within 5 years

• Current smokers have 3 times the risk of developing MD and will develop it 10 years earlier

• Of those at most risk (people over 55 years) 41% not were aware that macular degeneration could lead to blindness

Facts sheets courtesy of MD
Foundation of Australia

Click on the links below.

• What is Macular Degeneration


• Treatments


• Nutrition

Ask your eye care professional about low vision services and resources.