Maculopathy, free vision screening in Milan, Rome and Genoa

“Suddenly I couldn’t see anything in front of me anymore. It was 2013 when it happened and I was working in a large biomedical company where I was involved in the production of ultrasound scanners, an activity that I really liked and which I had to leave due to illness. I already had problems with my right eye due to a strong myopia from birth. So, the left one for me was the only window left on the world. The diagnosis I received spoke of diabetic macular edema: it was a double cold shower because I also discovered that I was diabetic. Before reaching this point he had had symptoms to which, however, I had not given much weight and which I only later discovered to be signs, i.e. tiredness, blurred vision, loss of speed in reading, white flashes and night halos “. To speak is Massimo Ligustro, 54 years old, patient and President of the Macula Committee, who spoke at the launch of “Your point of view matters – don’t let maculopathy stop you”the national campaign created to raise awareness of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and diabetic macular edema (DME).

Yes, because just as happened in Ligustro, despite macular degeneration in Italy alone affects over a million people and every year it manifests itself with 80,000 new cases, it is a disease that is still too little known and whose symptoms are underestimated and risks, making adequate medication adherence difficult.

For this reason, the campaign, promoted by Roche, with the sponsorship of the Association of Eye Disease Patients (APMO), the Macula Committee, Retina Italia ODV and the Italian Society of Ophthalmological Sciences (SISO), will offer the possibility of carrying out free vision examinations to the population most at risk by age (over 50), which will also include a scan of the retina using optical coherence tomography. The first stage will be in Milan: on 17 June at the Teatro Manzoni (Via Alessandro Manzoni, 40), from 10.00 to 13.00 and from 14.00 to 18.30, and on 1 July at the Bocciofila Caccialanza (Via Padova, 91) from 11.00 to 13.00 and from 14.00 to 19.30. To these will also be added other appointments in Rome and Genoa.

What are maculopathies

Maculopathies are eye diseases that affect the area in the center of the retina, or the macula, and which can put vision at risk, also due to late symptoms and diagnoses. Different types are known, which often concern the older population, but not only. Age-related macular degeneration affects the part of the retina responsible for sharp, detailed central vision. There are two types: ‘dry AMD’ and ‘neovascular or wet AMD’, which is linked to the growth of new blood vessels under the retina. Diabetic macular edema is instead a complication of diabetes (type 1 and type 2), due to vascular damage linked to high blood glucose levels. Wet AMD and diabetic macular edema alone account for over 40 million patient populations worldwide. The therapies usually involve the use of VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) inhibitors intravitreally, effective with early diagnosis but challenging for patients and caregivers, since they must be done with a certain frequency.

The importance of prevention, even for young people

“AMD and DME cause the patient a rapid loss of autonomy due to the progressive reduction of central and detailed vision. This has a significant impact both on everyday life and on the psyche of the person and the entire family nucleus – explains Francesco Bandello, Director of the Ophthalmology Unit of the IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital in Milan and President of the Association of Eye Disease Patients – Diabetic macular edema For example, since it is associated with diabetes and not with age, it can also affect younger patients who are suddenly no longer able to work. On the contrary, neovascular macular degeneration predominantly affects people over the age of sixty, who find themselves experiencing the profound discomfort of not being independent, of not being able to see well, of not being able to go on their own for visits and to be administered therapy. It therefore becomes essential to take charge of the patient promptly and adequately”.

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A campaign to act soon

But for the taking charge to be timely, first of all it is necessary that the diagnosis is, and even before that the knowledge of the pathology. “Despite the spread of maculopathies, there is still little information and little awareness today – comments Assia Andrao, President of Retina Italia OdV – Prevention should arise from knowing when and how to have an eye check-up, what it means to live with these pathologies, what are the needs of the patient and the caregiver. There is a lack of information on therapeutic pathways and on the fact that the loss of autonomy, due to reduced vision, is a real problem that often prevents these patients from taking care of themselves”. Without terrifying the patients at the same time.

“The message we would like to send with this campaign is twofold: on the one hand, that prevention is essential to preserve people’s eyesight, on the other that maculopathies should not scare – adds Teresio Avitabile, President of the Italian Society of Sciences Ophthalmological (SISO) – Today scientific progress has in fact made it possible to have effective treatments available, but in order for them to be truly effective, they must be repeated with constant cycles. It is therefore necessary to help the patient to follow the therapeutic plan correctly, so that he has a better quality of life ”.

Here all the information to stay updated on the stages of the campaign.