Genoa, prevention of maculopathies and retinopathies.

Macular degeneration is the leading cause of legal blindness (severe loss of central vision) after the age of 50. Over a million people are affected in Italy. As we age the risk of degeneration macular and the risk of aggravation of the disease progressively increases.

While being one of the most common causes of severe blindness in people over the age of 50 it is almost completely unknown and this does not allow a serious prevention activity that could be done even with a simple self-diagnosis test.

“This is where we started – declares the regional councilor for Aware Lifestyles and the Personnel of the Liguria Region Simona Ferro – we need to make this disease known and to carry out serious prevention. After the experience of the Municipality of Genoa which decided the self-assessment test of the Macula ‘Testa la Vista’ Committee, we propose it again in the same way in the Liguria Region to then expand this self-diagnosis tool in all the Municipalities of Liguria “.

Have a test like this available – explains the deputy mayor of the Municipality of Genoa Massimo Nicolò – it can be fundamental to recognize the onset of retinopathies and maculopathies even in people unaware of being affected by diabetes. I remember that ‘Test the view’ cannot and should not be considered as a substitute for an eye examination, but it is undoubtedly useful in helping people to identify the potential signs that can lead to early diagnosis and therefore to timely access to treatment, thus significantly reducing the risk of even greater damage to eyesight.

“Today is a great day as thanks to the Liguria Region we are able to raise awareness of this problem – underlined Massimo Ligustro, president of the Macula Committee – offering everyone (including tourists) a new prevention tool. Thanks to everyone and let’s not lose sight ”.

‘Testa la vista’ is an innovative digital survey tool that was created with the intention of supporting the Macula Committee, the first Italian association of patients with maculopathies and retinopathiesand, in the commitment to prevent or intercept these pathologies early.

It is a self-assessment test vision based on the observation of a series of images starting from the Amsler grid, a method already tested by ophthalmologists to effectively intercept the indications of visual disturbances associated with retinal and macular problems.

The test is freeit is not invasive and it is simple and it takes a few minutes to understand if there is a need for further checks, remaining that negative cannot stop the presence of other non-diagnostic pathologies with the test.