Macula Month 1 31 May 2018 Your all in one Communications Toolkit Get behind our national campaign to help save sight (Orthoptics) An initiative of: Supported by:
This Macula Month hero graphic is available for you to use in all your communications. May is Macula Month - get behind our national campaign to help Australians at risk of or living with macular disease to look after their eye health. The national Macula Month campaign will be heavily promoted on radio, television, newspapers, online and social media platforms and will cover a whole host of topics. The campaign launch will include the release of consumer survey results into macular disease, age-related macular degeneration and diabetic eye disease; we ll be shining the spotlight onto eye health and nutrition with the release of the Macula Menu e-cookbook; and wrapping up the month will be the release of research into age-related macular degeneration. There will also be daily digital content for you to share with your patients. Macula Month 2018 will raise awareness of all macular diseases, including age-related macular degeneration, diabetic eye disease and other less common diseases of the macula. We include all the tools you ll need to get behind Macula Month - May 2018. Actions you can take to support Macula Month 1 2 3 4 5 6 Email your patients Promote on your website Share on social media Graphics and poster Order resources Links and background information A soft copy of the resources in this toolkit can be downloaded at www.mdfoundation.com.au/ content/supporter-resources-orthoptics or call Macular Disease Foundation Australia (MDFA) on 1800 111 709 to talk through your Macula Month 2018 ideas. Thank you for your support. Macula Month Communication Toolkit 2
1 Email your patients Email your patients using the suggested copy below: May is Macula Month (1 31 May 2018) Dear [Insert Name] May is Macula Month and the ideal time to learn more about macular disease, what support is available to you, and to remind your friends and family members of the importance of looking after their vision. Macular disease is the leading cause of blindness and severe vision loss in Australia. It includes age-related macular degeneration and diabetic eye disease, along with other less common diseases of the macula. Those over 50 you are at higher risk of age-related macular degeneration, and everyone with diabetes is at risk of vision loss through diabetic eye disease. Learn more - A range of publications produced by Macular Disease Foundation Australia is available free of charge. Publications cover disease information, risk factors, symptoms, preventive measures, and a range of guides on low vision. Next time you visit our practice ask about these free publications, or call the Foundation toll-free on 1800 111 709 to have these posted to you. Support - Macular Disease Foundation Australia works alongside ophthalmology practices in support of patients, their family and carers. They offer free advice and support in living well with macular disease and can be contacted on the toll-free Helpline 1800 111 709. Having a regular eye test is the best way to detect changes in your vision, early diagnosis and timely treatment gives the best opportunity to save sight. If you, or a family member, notice any sudden changes in vision call our practice immediately on [Insert Phone Number]. For more information on Macula Month 2018 visit www.mdfoundation.com.au [Insert Macula Month hero graphic] Macula Month Communication Toolkit 3
2 Promote on your website Post the copy below on your website during the month of May: May is Macula Month (1 31 May 2018) May is Macula Month and the ideal time to learn more about macular disease, what support is available to you, and to remind your friends and family members of the importance of looking after their vision. Macular disease is the leading cause of blindness and severe vision loss in Australia. It includes age-related macular degeneration and diabetic eye disease, along with other less common diseases of the macula. Those over 50 you are at higher risk of age-related macular degeneration, and everyone with diabetes is at risk of vision loss through diabetic eye disease. Learn more - A range of publications produced by Macular Disease Foundation Australia is available free of charge. Publications cover disease information, risk factors, symptoms, preventive measures, and a range of guides on low vision. Next time you visit our practice ask about these free publications, or call the Foundation toll-free on 1800 111 709 to have these posted to you. Support - Macular Disease Foundation Australia works alongside ophthalmology practices in support of patients, their family and carers. They offer free advice and support in living well with macular disease and can be contacted on the toll-free Helpline 1800 111 709. Having a regular eye test is the best way to detect changes in your vision, early diagnosis and timely treatment gives the best opportunity to save sight. If you, or a family member, notice any sudden changes in vision call our practice immediately on [Insert Phone Number]. For more information on Macula Month 2018 visit www.mdfoundation.com.au Macula Menu e-cookbook Available from 1 May This downloadable cookbook is filled with a range of delicious and nutritious recipes contributed from celebrities, chefs, eye health professionals, and foodies from the macular disease community. Download your FREE Macula Menu e-cookbook at www.mdfoundation.com.au during Macula Month (1 to 31 May). [Insert Macula Month hero graphic] Macula Month Communication Toolkit 4
3 Share on social media Share MDFA posts MDFA will be posting daily during Macula Month - don t miss out - link with us on Facebook and Twitter (see below). Posts will be wide ranging and include disease information, consumer survey results, case study stories, Macula Menu recipes, industry Q&A s and more. Facebook: www.facebook.com/maculardiseasefoundationaustralia Twitter: @maculardisease Campaign Hashtags Include one or more of the following hashtags in your Macula Month posts, so your followers can find out more. You can use hashtags across Facebook and Twitter. #MaculaMonth #MacularDisease #HowsYourMacula #MacularDegeneration #DiabeticEyeDisease #Diabetes #MaculaMenu Youtube MDFA s Youtube channel has videos you can share with your community. These can be found at www.youtube.com/user/mdfoundationaus Macula Month Communication Toolkit 5
3 Share on social media Drafted posts for you to share You can use the drafted posts and graphics below throughout Macula Month (1 to 31 May) to show your support of the campaign. Graphics are sized for both Facebook and Twitter and can be downloaded at www.mdfoundation.com.au/content/supporter-resources-orthoptics May is Macula Month Are you at risk of macular disease? Facebook: Are you at risk of macular disease? Macula Month (1-31 May) is the time to find out! Those over 50 are at higher risk of age-related macular degeneration, and everyone with diabetes is at risk of vision loss. Book in for an eye test and macula check today, you can have the early signs without knowing. #MaculaMonth #MacularDisease #MacularDegeneration #DiabeticEyeDisease #Diabetes Twitter: Are you at risk of #maculardisease? #MaculaMonth (1-31 May) is the time to find out! Those over 50 are at risk of #maculardegeneration and everyone with #diabetes is at risk of vision loss. Book an eye test and macula check today, you can have the early signs without knowing. May is Macula Month Have an eye test and macula check Facebook: Many Australians are at risk of developing macular disease but just don t know it. It s essential to have a regular comprehensive eye test including a macula check, as you can have the early stages of the disease without knowing. If you re over 50 or living with diabetes you re at risk. Macula Month (1-31 May) is the perfect time to have your eyes tested. #MaculaMonth #MacularDisease #MacularDegeneration #DiabeticEyeDisease #Diabetes Twitter: Many Australians are at risk of developing #MacularDisease but don t know it. Those over 50 are at risk of #MacularDegeneration and everyone with #Diabetes is at risk of vision loss. If you re at risk #MaculaMonth (1-31 May) is the perfect time to have your eyes tested. Macula Month Communication Toolkit 6
3 Share on social media May is Macula Month Eat for your eye health Facebook: Good nutrition and a healthy lifestyle go hand in hand with eye health. In celebration of Macula Month we want you to eat for your eyes this May. Download your FREE Macula Menu e-cookbook and kick start your eye health journey today. The e-cookbook is filled with delicious and nutritious recipes from celebrities, chefs, eye health professionals, and foodies from the macular disease community. Download at www.mdfoundation.com.au #MaculaMonth #MaculaMenu Twitter: Good nutrition and a healthy lifestyle go hand in hand with eye health. In celebration of #MaculaMonth we want you to eat for your eyes this May. Download your FREE #MaculaMenu e-cookbook and kick start your eye health journey today. www.mdfoundation.com.au Note: a designated link to the Macula Menu will be available from 1 May contact MDFA on 1800 111 709 or email mdf@mdfoundation.com.au to request this link May is Macula Month Order a FREE information kit Facebook: Knowledge is power in the defence against macular disease, so it s imperative Australians learn what they can do to minimise their risk. This can be as simple as eating an eye friendly diet and modifying or managing lifestyle choices. Everyone aged over 50, and those living with diabetes, are at risk of macular disease. Order a FREE information kit during Macula Month from Macular Disease Foundation Australia on 1800 111 709 or visit www.mdfoundation.com.au #MaculaMonth #MacularDisease #MacularDegeneration #DiabeticEyeDisease Twitter: Knowledge is definitely power in the defence against #MacularDisease, so it s imperative Australians learn what they can do to minimise their risk. Everyone aged over 50, and those living with #Diabetes, are at risk. Order a FREE information kit at www.mdfoundation.com.au Macula Month Communication Toolkit 7
4 Graphics and poster Graphics Social media, website and media graphics are available to help you promote Macula Month. These can be downloaded from www.mdfoundation.com.au/content/supporter-resourcesorthoptics. Alternatively contact MDFA on 1800 111 709 or mdf@mdfoundation.com.au Poster Download this poster (A4 and A2) at www.mdfoundation.com.au/content/supporter-resourcesorthoptics or order a hard copy on the order form enclosed (refer page 9) or call MDFA 1800 111 709. Macula Month Communication Toolkit 8
5 Order resources Macula Month Resource Order Form All resources are free of charge and do not incur postage. To receive resources in time for Macula Month (1 to 31 May 2018) order needs to be placed as soon as possible. Expected stock delivery is 2 weeks from receipt of order. Please tick: Optometrist Ophthalmologist Orthoptist Pharmacist Community Health Centre Librarian Parliamentarian Other Title First name Last name Organisation Address Suburb State P/code Tel ( ) Email Macular Degeneration (MD) Booklet (A4) with tear-out magnetised Amsler Grid Macular Degeneration Small Pamphlet (DL) Diabetic Eye Disease Booklet (A4) Diabetic Eye Disease Small Pamphlet (DL) Max 50 Max 200 Max 50 Max 200 Qty: Qty: Qty: Qty: Translated MD Booklet Please TICK your language option: Arabic Chinese Greek Italian Portuguese Spanish Vietnamese Max 30 / language Qty: Translated Diabetic Eye Disease Booklet Please TICK your language option: Arabic Chinese Greek Italian Vietnamese Max 30 / language Qty: Macula Month Poster (A4) or (A2) Eat for your Eyes in Macula Month Nutrition and Supplements for Macular Degeneration Amsler Grid Foundation Contact Card Macular Disease Qty: (A4) Qty: (A2) Max 50 Qty: Max 50 Qty: Max 100 Qty: Max 50 Qty: Low Vision A Guide Slips, Trips & Falls A Guide Low Vision Aids & Technology - A Guide Family, Friend & Carer A Guide Foundation Contact Card Carer/Family Max 25 Qty: Max 25 Qty: Max 25 Qty: Max 25 Qty: Max 50 Qty: Return this form to: mdf@mdfoundation.com.au or fax (02) 9261 8912 Note: Please refer to the privacy policy on www.mdfoundation.com.au regarding the collection and use of personal information supplied. We will add your details to our database so we can keep you informed of macular disease information, updates and research. You can opt-out by ticking this box Macula Month Communication Toolkit 9
6 Links and background information Macula Month 1 to 31 May 2018 Macula Month is an initiative of Macular Disease Foundation Australia and runs for the month of May. It is an annual campaign designed to raise awareness of macular disease, which includes age-related macular degeneration and diabetic eye disease, along with other less common diseases of the macula. Macular disease is the leading cause of vision loss and blindness in Australia. Macula Month 2018 calls on Australians to reduce their risk of developing macular disease by following three simple steps. Step 1: See your optometrist for an eye test including a macula check; Step 2: Adopt an eye healthy diet and lifestyle; Step 3: Order a free information kit. To order a kit or find out more contact Macular Disease Foundation Australia on 1800 111 709 or visit www.mdfoundation.com.au Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) Age-related macular degeneration is the leading cause of blindness and severe vision loss in Australians over 50, with 1.29 million people having some evidence of the disease 1. Age-related macular degeneration causes progressive loss of central vision, leaving the peripheral or side vision intact. Diabetic Eye Disease Diabetic eye disease refers to a range of conditions, the most common being diabetic retinopathy. Over one million Australian adults have been diagnosed with diabetes. Nearly as many are believed to have diabetes but are undiagnosed. The prevalence of diabetes is climbing rapidly posing major public health and economic concerns 2. Diabetes can result in a number of serious complications including diabetic eye disease. Most people with type 1 diabetes and over 60% of people with type 2 diabetes will develop diabetic eye disease within 20 years of diagnosis. The significant increase in diabetes prevalence is expected to increase the number of people with diabetic eye disease 3. Early diagnosis and intervention can dramatically reduce vision loss. Macular Disease Foundation Australia Macular Disease Foundation Australia s (MDFA) vision is to reduce the incidence and impact of macular disease in Australia through education, awareness, research, support services and representation. It is a national charity providing independent, free, expert advice on preventing and living well with macular disease. For more information call 1800 111 709 or visit www.mdfoundation.com.au References: 1. Eyes on the future - A clear outlook on age-related macular degeneration. Report by Deloitte Access Economics & Macular Degeneration Foundation, 2011. 2018 prevalence estimates are derived from a straight line extrapolation between 2015 and 2020 estimates in this report. 2. Guidelines for the Management of Diabetic Retinopathy. NHMRC 2008. 3. Out of Sight A Report into Diabetic Eye Disease in Australia. Baker IDI and Centre for Eye Research Australia 2013. Macula Month Communication Toolkit 10