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More education on age-related macular degeneration needed in Latin America
Age-related macular degeneration may not be as well known to the public as other eye conditions, but it is the leading cause of vision loss and blindness in adults older than 65 years, according to a Latin American coalition’s preliminary report.
The Pan-American Retina and Vitreous Society and the Angiogenesis Foundation came together to discuss the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of AMD in Latin America at a summit in Bogota, Colombia.
Projected population
Latin Americans who are 65 years and older made up 6.3% of the population in 2005 and are projected to triple to 18.5% of the population by 2050.
There are public awareness campaigns, such as Colombia’s Day of Vision and AMD Awareness Week, may produce more understanding and improve early detection.
AMD in Latin America
The Latin American Wet AMD Coalition Expert Summit, in partnership with the Pan-American Retina and Vitreous Society, convened as the first of a series of regional summits.
Summit participants said that patients should be educated about the progression of AMD to understand how important treatments are to maintaining vision.
Many patients do not return for a second treatment when they do not see an immediate improvement in vision.
Screening and treatment
Currently, Latin America does not have enough trained health care professionals to handle the demand for AMD screenings, according to the report.
Expanding the use of telemedicine technologies could help address some of the increased demand for AMD screenings until the cost of equipment decreases and the tools are widely distributed, the report said.
Survey participants also agreed that improved communication is needed among physicians who treat patients with comorbidities, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, atherosclerosis, arthritis, coronary heart disease, cataracts and glaucoma, regarding how these conditions affect the progression of AMD and response to treatment. – by Cheryl DiPietro