Age-related Macular Disease Resources

Useful resources to help people with AMD find better eye care.

AMD Resources Home Page

The purpose of this collection of web resources is to help people with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) find the care they need.

You will find information related to taking eye supplements, getting eye injections, using an Amsler grid and quitting smoking.

There are also links to information about who to contact to get counselling support or how to connect with other people who have AMD and other services.

Content curated by Elisa Wang, Angelica Ly and Gordon S. Doig.

iCanQuit Website

There are many different methods to help increase your success to quit smoking. This website gives you practical and straightforward tips for quitting smoking.

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iCanQuit Website - Stories and Experiences

You can read about other peoples' stories and experiences on successfully quitting smoking and staying quit.

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How do eye injections work?

You can learn more about eye injections for wet (neovascular) AMD in this video made by the Macular Disease Foundation Australia (MDFA). The video has animations that show you how eye injections can stop the bleeding in wet AMD.

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Eye injections fact sheet

How often do I need eye injections? Are there any risks? Are there any side effects? These questions are answered in this fact sheet from the Macular Disease Foundation Australia about getting eye injections for wet (neovascular) AMD.

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Eye injection costs fact sheet

How much do eye injections cost? Does Medicare provide any benefits (rebates)? You can download this fact sheet from the Macular Disease Foundation Australia that provides a breakdown of the fees involved for eye injections.

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MDFA real life stories - Val's story

Val noticed straight lines appearing wavy but delayed seeing eye care professional. She now regrets not getting an eye test as soon as she noticed changes in her vision. Read about how Val now prioritises her treatment for wet AMD.

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MDFA real life stories - Dymphna's story

Eye injections saved Dymphna's vision and helped her finish writing and publishing her own book. You can read more about how early action to see her eye care professional saved Dymphna's vision.

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MDFA real life stories - Di's story

Di is an artist diagnosed with wet AMD. Her vision loss has changed her life and she has learnt how to adapt her artistic work. Read about how Di uses art to express her feelings after being diagnosed with wet AMD.

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Guide Dogs Funding Support Services

Are you living with low vision or blindness and need help to access funding support? Guide Dogs can help eligible patients access and apply for external funding. You can find more information here.

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My Aged Care

Are you having trouble reading, getting around safely by yourself in your home or going to the shops? You may be eligible to access support and services through My Aged Care to help you continue to live independently.

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National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIS)

Are you under 65 years old and living with low vision or blindness? You may be eligible to receiving funding support from the NDIS. Learn more about the NDIS here.

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Guide Dogs Low Vision Services

Guide Dogs offers low vision services for people who have trouble using their vision in their daily life. You can find more information about the low vision services here.

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Referring to Guide Dogs Low Vision Services

You can request a Guide Dogs low vision service here. Referrals can come from your eye care professional, family member or from yourself.

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Guide Dogs Access and Technology Consulting

Guide Dogs can provide patients with low vision education and advice on using technology. Learn more about what support you can get here.

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Guide Dogs Connection Service

Learn more about different ways to connect with other people who have been through a similar experience to you here.

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MDFA Support Programs

Macular Disease Foundation Australia offers phone peer support for you to speak and share lived experiences with other people who have AMD. Learn more about this here.

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MDFA Peer Support

You can find a video about the peer support program offered by MDFA and information on how to sign up for peer support.

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SANE Australia

If you are going through a difficult time, SANE Australia provides phone and online counselling support by qualified counsellors. Learn more about this here.

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Lifeline Phone Support

If you are experiencing a personal crisis or having a difficult time, you can get help by contacting Lifeline. Lifeline provides a 24 hour phone and online support. You can also contact Lifeline if you are concerned that someone else is struggling.

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Lifeline Crisis Text Message Service

Lifeline provides a mobile phone text service if you are uncomfortable talking and want someone to listen to you.

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Eye Supplements for AMD

This website from the Macular Disease Foundation Australia will give you a brief overview about taking eye supplements to reduce your risk of AMD progression.

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Eye Supplements Fact Sheet

What is the AREDS2 eye supplement? What is the daily dose of an AREDS2 formula? This fact sheet from the Macular Disease Foundation Australia gives you more information about the major studies involved in developing the eye supplements.

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Eye Supplements and Nutrition for AMD Fact Sheet

Which vegetables should I eat? What nutrients are found in fruits and nuts? This fact sheet from the Macular Disease Foundation Australia gives you more information about eye supplements and nutrition for your eye health.

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Find an Optometrist

If you have intermediate AMD, your optometrist can advise you on which eye supplements to take everyday. If you are not under the care of an optometrist, you can find an optometrist on the Optometry Australia website.

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Find an Optometrist

After you see changes on your Amsler grid, contact your optometrist immediately. If you are not under the care of an optometrist, you can find an optometrist on the Optometry Australia website.

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Using the Amsler Grid - Instructions Video

You can find a video on how to use an Amsler grid here. The video will explain how to hold your Amsler grid and will show you examples of what changes look like on an Amsler grid.

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Using the Amsler Grid - Instructions Text

You can find step-by-step instructions on how to use an Amsler grid here.

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Lost your Amsler grid?

If you have lost your Amsler grid, you can order a free Amsler grid by contacting the Macular Disease Foundation Australia here.

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Chief Editor: Elisa Wang.
Copyright © 2022, Elisa Wang, UNSW.
Content approved by Dr. Gordon S. Doig,
Head of Research at the Centre for Eye Health.
CFEH is a joint initiative of Guide Dogs NSW/ACT
and the University of New South Wales.