Seeing into Old Age: Glaucoma and Macular Degeneration
Duration: 65 minutes
Program ID: 713 | Purchase Price: $105.00 (DVD)
Macular degeneration and glaucoma, respectively, sit at the top of the list of vision disorders as the leading causes of both irreversible and preventable blindness for Australians aged over 55 years. Glaucoma affects 2.3% (109,300 people) of the Australian population aged over 55. A staggering 50% of patients with glaucoma are unaware they have it which when left undiagnosed and untreated can greatly reduce quality of life for those affected.
Non-diagnosis is common because the peripheral vision is affected, often at a slow and subtle rate. Macular degeneration affects a greater number of Australians, with 3.1% or 147,000 of people aged over 55 having the disease. The effects of macular degeneration are more debilitating than glaucoma because it affects the central vision and onset can occur rapidly and with little warning.
This program focuses on glaucoma and macular degeneration. For each the program will discuss traditional and emerging diagnosis and treatments plus promising areas of future research into prevention and reversal of glaucoma and macular degeneration. Key information is also discussed about prevention, clinical detection and ongoing management. Case studies are also included.
Program Presenters
- Chair: Dr Norman Swan - Presenter of the Health Report on ABC Radio National
- Dr Mark Gorbatov - Ophthalmologist, Sydney Eye Hospital & Orange Eye Centre NSW.
- Dr Nicholas A Hansen - Paediatric Optometrist
- Mr Christopher Hopwood -
- Dr Geraldine Moses - Consultant Clinical Pharmacist, Brisbane QLD
- Professor Hugh R Taylor - Managing Director of the Centre for Eye Research Australia
- Professor Julian Rait - Glaucoma Research Unit, University of Melbourne
Learning Outcomes
- Describe the risk factors for both glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration (AMD)
- Identify the clinical degenerative features of Glaucoma and AMD.
- Outline the established and emerging treatments available for Glaucoma and AMD.
- Describe the effects of reduced or total loss of vision for older Australians.
Broadcast Dates
This program was first broadcast on the Foundation's satellite network on Tuesday 25 September 2007.
Funding Bodies
Accreditation
This program is accredited or endorsed for CPD/CPE by the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists, Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine, the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia, the Royal College of Nursing Australia and the Australian Physiotherapy Association.
