ASRS Launches Nationwide Education Initiative “See for a Lifetime See a Retina Specialist” to Drive Home the Message that Early Detection is a Game Changer
Retina specialists call it a major public health threat with millions at risk. Retinal conditions, including diseases like age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and diabetic retinopathy, are among the leading causes of preventable blindness and low vision in the U.S. That’s why TheAmerican Society of Retina Specialists (ASRS) is launching a new initiative, “See for a Lifetime See a Retina Specialist,” to drive home awareness of retinal disease and the message that early detection could save their precious eyesight.
The burden of retinal disease and resulting preventable blindness and low vision is significant:
- Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of preventable blindness in US working-age adults and occurs when diabetes damages blood vessels in the retina. It affects 7.7 million Americans, a number projected to double by 2050.
- As many as 11 million people in the United States have some form of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a condition caused by a deterioration of the retina that leads to a loss of central vision. As Americans continue to live longer, this number is expected to double by 2050. AMD is a leading cause of vision loss in people over 65.
- Vision loss and blindness account for $8 billion in lost productivity annually, posing a tremendous challenge to those who would otherwise remain in the workforce beyond age 65.
In this Satellite media tour, Dr. Murray will discuss the importance of the intitiative and answer questions. His goal is to empower the public to care for their vision, understand the risk factors, know the signs, recognize the symptoms and safeguard their sight. More information on the program can be found at SeeforaLifetime.org.
Dr. Murray discusses:
- The risk factors and leading casues of retinal disease
- Crucial symptoms to be aware of to protect your eyesight
- The importance of regular eye exams for early detection and the concern that the pandemic has encouraged many to put off eye exams or seeing a doctor
- Advances in diagnosis and treatment made possible by retina specialists that can save and even improve vision
About The American Society of Retina Specialists: ASRS is the largest organization of retina specialists in the world. The mission of the ASRS is to provide a collegial and open forum for education, to advance the understanding and treatment of vitreoretinal diseases, and to enhance the ability of its members to provide the highest quality of patient care. The mission of the Foundation of the American Society of Retina Specialists, the charitable arm of American Society of Retina Specialists, is to improve the quality of life for all people with retinal diseases through retina health education and awarness activities and to support the education of retina specialists. Learn more at ASRS.org.
This tour is provided by The American Society of Retina Specialists (ASRS)
