The Foundation supports the International Day of Older Persons by collaborating with the “Live for seeing” campaign

October 1 is the International Day of Older Persons and we at the Barcelona Macula Foundation: Research for Vision wish to highlight the importance of early detection and research in combating the eye diseases that cause blindness and are incurable. This is why the Foundation is collaborating with the Institut de la Màcula in “Live 4 seeing” an awareness campaign that stresses the importance of early detection in the fight against Age-Related Macular Degeneration.

Over forthcoming months, the Institut de la Màcula —in collaboration with the Barcelona Macula Foundation — will carry out free screening tests for the early detection of Age-Related Macular Degeneration.

According to United Nations’ figures, there are currently almost 700 million people of over 60 in the world. It is calculated that in 2050 this number will have risen to 2 billion, over 20% of the world’s population and above the percentage of children.

Furthermore, life expectancy has increased throughout the world. In the 1950s, global life expectancy was 46 and now this average is 68. By the end of the century, it is forecast to have reached 81.

As well as early detection, research is essential for combating the eye diseases that cause age-related blindness such as Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD). It is only through this research that we will be able to beat the degenerative eye diseases that still lack an effective cure.

Degenerative diseases such as pigmentary retinosis act very fast. It is up to us to be faster.

Collaborate with us at barcelonamaculafound.org.