Awareness, Knowledge, and Concern About Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD)-a common eye disease causing vision loss-can be detected early through regular eye-health examinations, and measures can be taken to prevent visual decline. Getting eye examinations requires certain levels of awareness, knowledge, and concern related to AMD. However, little is known about AMD-related awareness, knowledge, and concern levels of population groups who may be affected by or at risk for AMD. The purpose of this descriptive study was to assess these factors among-and health information seeking patterns of-four groups of individuals: [a] the general population, [b] a group at-risk for AMD due to race and advanced age, [c] a group at high-risk for AMD due to race, advanced age, and smoking behavior, and [d] a group diagnosed with AMD. Data were collected through telephone interviews with 894 adults using a computer assisted telephone interview method. Results demonstrate that while AMD awareness is high, knowledge about AMD risk factors and concern about the disease is lacking. The most prominent source of AMD awareness was knowing someone who had been diagnosed, and physicians were the main source for health-related information. AMD-related awareness campaigns should focus on educating older adults about AMD risk factors and involving healthcare professionals and older adults with AMD as peer educators.