(BW)(AMD-ALLIANCE-INTL)需要采取紧急措施和全球不断增长的与AMD有关的失明疾病作斗争

美国商业新闻2006年5月15日布鲁塞尔消息——

AMD Action是由来自于21个国家的游说团体、医生与政府代表率先提出的一项计划，今天提出了“行动呼吁(Call to Action)”来解决不断增长的与年龄有关的黄斑变性(AMD)疾病——这种疾病会导致眼睛情况不断恶化，进而引起失明。

“我们呼吁政府、医疗、专家与消费者团体能够意识到与AMD有关的失明压力正在不断提高，急切需要通过宣传与支持来解决这场危险，具体措施包括：

——教育

——预防

——早期检测

——及时治疗

——康复与社会服务

——研究等。”

有超过100名研究与年龄有关的失明的国际专家在由AMD Alliance International (AMDAI)和AMD Action全球指导委员会组织的高峰会议上提出了“行动呼吁”。

AMDAI主席兼英国皇家失明研究院(Royal National Institute of the Blind)公共政策负责人Steve Winyard对此评论道：“在像是欧洲这样的人口年龄老化不断加快的地区，AMD的打击尤为严重。据估计每年全球均为出现500,000个新AMD病例，所以提高人们对于这种疾病的认识与了解至关重要，只有这样人们才能够选择明智的生活方式，从而来减慢视力减退与降低相关费用。在欧洲最大的五个国家中，AMD所导致的年平均损失在7亿欧元至30亿欧元之间。”(1)

AMD影响了全球2500万至3000万人口，其也是发达国家人口失明的主要原因。(2)

随着“婴儿潮”这一代人的年龄上升，预计AMD的发病率在2025年将增至三倍。(3)

患有湿性AMD的病人如果不在早期接受治疗，那些可能会在三个月内失明。(4)

但是人们对于AMD的认识与了解还很少。最近完成的一项“欧洲地区AMD认识调查”发现有80%的人未曾听说过湿性AMD，只有38%的人意识到吸烟是导致疾病的一种危险因素。(5)

身为AMD Action高峰会议协调人的加拿大Dalhousie University眼科学与视觉科学系主任Alan Cruess教授(博士)说道：“AMD的发病率与传播速度都在不断提高。虽然现在已经有新疗法可能帮助预防视力减退，但是早期治疗却是关键所在。医生能否拥有经过授权的安全有效疗法至关重要，因为只有这样医生才能够尽可能长的帮助AMD病人维持独立生活的能力。”

为期两天的AMD Action高峰会议把重心放在了委托代表们制定国家级行动计划上面，以此解决各个国家所面临的具体难题。

致编辑：

AMD Alliance International是一家集合了远见卓识、研究与优秀的组织工作的非盈利性组织，其致力于提高人们对于AMD、康复治疗选择以及早期检测的重要性的认识。目前联盟成员包括来自于21个国家的55家非盈利性组织，其中包括世界知名的眼科学、视力康复、病人看护与研究领域中的领导组织。

AMD Alliance International在全球领先的眼科学与游说集团的支持下举办了AMD Action高峰会议。全球指导委员会由Hugh Taylor博士（澳大利亚）、Alan Cruess博士（加拿大）、Usha Chakravarthy教授（爱尔兰）、Frank Holz教授（德国）、RNIB（英国）、黄斑变性病基金会(Macular Degeneration Foundation)（澳大利亚）、CNIB（加拿大）、Retina International、Pro Retina Germany、IAPB Italy和Retina France International等组成。

AMD认识调查在2006年2月完成。所调查的国家包括英国、法国、西班牙、德国、意大利和加拿大等国，共有3,675名被调查者接受了调查。调查旨在考察人们对于包括症状与可缓和的致病因素在内的AMD病症的认识水平。

AMD Action高峰会议的资金由Pfizer Ophthalmics提供。

(1)AMD BOI Study：Pfizer文件数据

(2)世界卫生组织：《视觉缺陷的程度与原因》，Factsheet 282，2004年11月

(3)AMD Alliance International网站：http://www.amdalliance.com/media/media-kit/amd-facts.asp。

(4)《AMD Alliance International 2003年活动报告》、《针对早期检测与低视力康复的国别报告》

(5)Pfizer文件数据

联系方式：Edelman Alex Chapman，+44 (0)207 344 1225

(BW)(AMD-ALLIANCE-INTL) Urgent Action Needed to Combat the Global Rise in AMD-Related Blindness

BRUSSELS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 15, 2006--

AMD Action, an initiative being spearheaded by advocacy groups, physicians and government representatives from 21 countries, issued today a "Call to Action" to address the increasing incidence of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) - a debilitating eye condition which can rapidly lead to blindness.

"We call upon governments, medical, professional and consumer groups to recognise the increasing burden of AMD-related blindness and to address the crisis with urgency by promoting and supporting:

-- Education,

-- Prevention,

-- Early detection,

-- Timely access to treatment for all,

-- Rehabilitation and social services, and

-- Research."

More than 100 international experts in age-related blindness developed the "Call to Action" at a Summit organised by the AMD Alliance International (AMDAI) and the AMD Action Global Steering Committee.

Steve Winyard, AMDAI Chairman and Head of Public Policy, Royal National Institute of the Blind, UK commented, "AMD hits particularly hard in areas with rapidly ageing populations, such as Europe. Each year there are an estimated 500,000 new cases of wet AMD worldwide, so it is crucially important to increase awareness and understanding of the disease so that people can make informed lifestyle choices to reduce both vision loss and associated costs. In the five largest countries in Europe, the average annual cost of AMD in the EU ranges between 700 million euros and three billion euros."(1)

AMD affects between 25 and 30 million people globally and is the leading cause of blindness in developed countries.(2)

As the "baby boom" generation ages, the incidence of AMD is expected to triple by the year 2025.(3)

Patients with the wet form of AMD can become blind in as little as three months if not treated early.(4)

Yet awareness and understanding of AMD is low. A recent European AMD awareness survey revealed 80 percent of the population had not heard of wet AMD and only 38 percent recognised smoking as a risk factor for the disease.(5)

"Both the incidence and prevalence of AMD is increasing. There are new treatments becoming available that can help prevent vision loss but early treatment with these therapies is the key. It is therefore vital that physicians have access to safe, effective, licensed treatments that can really help maintain the independence of AMD patients for as long as possible," said Dr Alan Cruess, AMD Action Summit Moderator and Professor and Head Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences Dalhousie University, Canada.

Day two of the AMD Action Summit focuses the delegates on developing national level action plans to tackle challenges specific to their countries.

Notes to Editors

The AMD Alliance International is a non-profit coalition of vision, research and seniors organisations working to raise awareness of AMD, of treatment and rehabilitation options and of the importance of early detection. Alliance membership currently includes 55 non-profit organisations from 21 countries, including world-renowned leaders in ophthalmology, vision rehabilitation, patient and senior's advocacy, and research.

Together with the AMD Alliance International, the AMD Action Summit has been developed in partnership and with the support of world leading ophthalmologists and advocacy groups. The Global Steering Committee comprises Dr Hugh Taylor (Australia), Dr Alan Cruess (Canada), Prof Usha Chakravarthy (Ireland), Prof Frank Holz (Germany), RNIB (UK), Macular Degeneration Foundation (Australia), CNIB (Canada), Retina International, Pro Retina Germany, IAPB Italy and Retina France International.

The AMD Awareness Survey was conducted in February 2006. The countries included were the United Kingdom, France, Spain, Germany, Italy and Canada and involved 3,675 respondents. The survey was designed to examine the level of awareness of AMD including its symptoms and modifiable risk factors.

The AMD Action Summit has been made possible with funding from Pfizer Ophthalmics.

(1)AMD BOI Study: Pfizer data on file

(2)WHO: Magnitude and causes of visual impairment. Factsheet 282. November 04

(3)AMD Alliance International Website http://www.amdalliance.com/media/media-kit/amd-facts.asp

(4)AMD Alliance International Campaign Report 2003. Country Reports on Early Detection and Low Vision Rehabilitation

(5)Pfizer data on file

CONTACT: Edelman Alex Chapman, +44 (0)207 344 1225