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17 March 2009

The Vision Van begins its second Australian Tour

Following the overwhelming success of the Vision Van in 2008, the MD Foundation will again partner with Novartis, Optometrist Association Australia and the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists to roll out a second Vision Van tour.

The Vision Van is a mobile screening unit offering free eye screening to people aged 50 and over. The Vision Van will hit the road for 90 days and travel more than 5,500km. It will stop at 28 regional towns throughout the Eastern seaboard of Australia providing free screening for Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD).

Bookings for free AMD screenings in the Vision Van are essential. People aged 50 and over can call
1800 176 255 to find out whether the Vision Van is visiting their area. People aged 50 and over who are unable to be screened in the Vision Van are encouraged to see their local optometrist for a macula check.

"The Vision Van is providing an important service to elderly Australians", said Foundation CEO Julie Heraghty. "We know that many older people dismiss symptoms of macular degeneration, believing loss of sight is a normal part of getting older. This belief is wrong!"

During its pilot program in 2008, the Vision Van travelled around regional Australia and screened 950 people. Signs of AMD were detected in one in eight people, closely reflecting the findings from the largest eye assessment study which showed one in seven Australians over the age of 50 are affected by AMD.

In addition to the Vision Van initiative, people are encouraged to attend educational seminars on AMD hosted by the Macular Degeneration Foundation. Education seminars will be held in most areas visited by the Vision Van and further information can be obtained by calling 1800 111 709.

The Vision Van will be visiting the following locations: