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The Gr8 Eye Movement, a disease awareness campaign from Prevent Blindness and Regeneron, is shining a light on the needs of caregivers of those at risk for developing retinal conditions this fall. The campaign launched last year to elevate the importance of prioritizing eye health with an emphasis on increasing awareness of wet age-related macular degeneration (wAMD), diabetic macular edema (DME) and diabetic retinopathy (DR) and encourages checking eye health regularly with reminders on the 8th of each month. Ahead of National Family Caregivers Month this November, the Gr8 Eye Movement is broadening its focus to emphasize the crucial role of those caring for aging loved ones at risk for these diseases and offering resources to support them.
Findings from a national survey of at-risk adults and their loved ones* show a significant gap in caregivers’ understanding of retinal conditions. According to the data, almost 80% of caregivers mistakenly view vision loss as an inevitable part of aging, and fewer than 30% are aware of both wAMD and diabetic retinal diseases DME and DR.
“The misperception that vision loss is an inevitable part of aging can lead caregivers to overlook signs of serious retinal diseases that may be treatable,” said Jeff Todd, President and CEO, Prevent Blindness. “That’s why it’s so important to educate the public, and for those at risk for retinal diseases and their caregivers, to prioritize eye health. By monitoring for eye health changes and being vigilant about getting our eyes and our vision checked regularly, caregivers can help protect their loved ones from preventable vision loss and help to maintain a high quality of life.”
Data also show that 75% of surveyed caregivers say it would be challenging to care for someone with significant vision loss, underscoring the burden that retinal diseases can have on both patients and their caregivers.
“Consumer education programs like the Gr8 Eye Movement play an important role in addressing knowledge gaps and ensuring that people are not just informed but truly engaged in prioritizing their eye health,” said Kevin Clark, Vice President of the Ophthalmology Commercial Business Unit at Regeneron. “During National Family Caregivers Month and beyond, we hope to help empower caregivers with the knowledge they need to spot the early signs of serious retinal diseases and support them as they care for their loved ones’ vision.”
To learn more about supporting loved ones at risk of retinal disease, the importance of routine eye exams, and practical tips for caregivers, visit www.Gr8EyeMovement.com.
*This survey was conducted by Wakefield Research, which collected findings from 667 adults age 55+ who are at risk for retinal diseases and 333 of their loved ones, ages 18-54 years old, who are caregivers of those at risk for retinal diseases, from May-June, 2023.
