Retina International Calls on Eye Care to become a Public Health Priority

Join our call for Political Action Today!

Retina International is a global umbrella group of patient led charities, foundations and voluntary groups who foster retinal research and advocate for access to early detection, diagnosis, care and to the treatments that emerge from the research our community has supported for over fifty years.

In 2024 over 50 parliamentary elections will take place globally;  Retina International is asking you to join our call to action and pledge your support by calling on election candidates, to make Eye Care a Public Health Priority through the development of patient centred policies that recognise the High Unmet Need of those living with retinal degenerative diseases.

European Parliamentary Elections take place in June 2024 and Retina International and is focusing on highlighting the challenges faced by those living with Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) and their caregivers. Retina International and its community of patients, health care providers and innovators are concerned at the lack of policy action in Eye Care in Europe to date and the further challenges this places on a marginalised community with a High Unmet Medical Need.

Almost 1 in 10 people over the age of 50 in Europe currently live with AMD, and estimates suggest that this could rise to more than 1 in 8 by 2040.

Through its European Parliament Election Manifesto, Retina International is asking all stakeholders in the vision space to call on local candidates to endorse our pledge for political support and make Eye Care a Public Health Priority!

To learn more and pledge your support click here

Thank you for your support

The RI Team

Our Goals

Click on our Goals below to read!

1. Early detection and access to treatments and rehabilitation services.
2. Research and innovation for AMD.
3. Mental health needs of people living with AMD and their caregivers.

Did You Know?

• AMD is the leading cause of blindness in people over the age of 50. Almost 1 in 10 over 50 in Europe currently live with AMD.

• 1 in 8 people will be affected by AMD in 2040.

• AMD can significantly impact the quality of life of those affected, and it also places a substantial burden on economies.

• The economic burden of AMD in the society is immense with an estimated per annum cost totalling to 449 million Euro in Bulgaria and 7.6 billion Euro in Germany.

• So far, no treatment is available to people living with Geographic Atrophy (an advanced from of dry AMD) in Europe.

• Several barriers such as travel burden, fear and anxiety of treatment, financial and socioeconomic factors, presence of co-morbidities and long waiting time exist in accessing treatment for people living with AMD.

• 4 out of 10 people living with AMD experience mental health issues such as anxiety and depression.

• People living with late-stage AMD have a higher chance of experiencing death due to cardiovascular disease or other causes.