AMD Awareness Week Bus Stop coming to Meath
Actress and comedian Deirdre O’Kane today launched the 12th annual AMD Awareness Week with a new and unique online AMD Symptom Checker to help identify the symptoms of AMD; the number one cause of sight loss in Ireland for those aged over 50.
AMD Awareness Week Bus Stop will be visiting Black Bush Golf Club, Dunshaughlin, Tuesday 10th September, 9 am – 2 pm and over 50s encouraged to come along to take new Age-Related Macular Degeneration symptom checker
The symptoms, including blurred vision, distortion, and dark spots, often go unrecognised in the early stages of the condition so it is crucial that those aged 50 and over, get their eyes tested regularly.
The theme of this year’s AMD Awareness Week, which runs from the 7th to 15th September, is ‘Sightsee with Me’. The campaign aims to celebrate the nation’s love of sightseeing and travelling, particularly across Ireland’s stunning landscapes, rugged terrain and beauty sights.
A national tour of the ‘Sightsee with Me’ pop-up bus stop will embark across Ireland during AMD Awareness Week helping inform those at risk of developing AMD as well as their caregivers and the wider public. The new AMD Symptom Checker will be available to the public at the pop-up bus stop during AMD Awareness Week and is also available at www.amd.ie.
The campaign is proudly supported by the National Council for the Blind (NCBI), the Association of Optometrists Ireland, Fighting Blindness , Irish College of Ophthalmologists and Healthy Ireland.
Speaking at the launch, Deirdre O’Kane said: “I first joined the ‘Sightsee with Me’ campaign in 2018 and it really opened my eyes to the importance of protecting our eyesight. Having recently turned 50 I’m more conscious than ever of taking care of my health but I also know it’s easy to ignore symptoms when we’re busy and don’t want to burden our families.
The Sightsee with Me campaign is an important reminder to consider the lasting memories we create with loved ones through sightseeing – especially in such a beautiful country as Ireland - and to get our eyes tested regularly, allowing us to continue to enjoy these special moments. Conditions such as AMD should never be a reason to miss out on seeing the things you love with the ones you love.”
Attending the launch Mary Mitchell O'Connor TD and Minister of State at the Department of Education commented: “As we age, we tend to have a little more time and the aspiration to travel and enjoy new sights. Today is an important reminder that if we don’t take care of our eye health, our sightseeing experiences may suffer. Increasing awareness and education about eye health is so important and with the huge number of people living with AMD in Ireland, it is vital to encourage testing."
Mr Mark Cahill, Consultant Eye Surgeon, (Irish College of Ophthalmologists) explained: “Symptoms of AMD can often go unrecognised so it’s vital that those aged over 50 arm themselves with as much information as possible and get their eyes tested every two years. When AMD is diagnosed and treated early it is a very manageable condition, as effective treatments are now available."
For more information, AMD Awareness campaign tour locations or to take the AMD Symptom Checker visit www.amd.ie.