MDNZ’s Anna Crane

Macular Degeneration New Zealand (MDNZ) is hosting live educational seminars online to overwhelming positive feedback from both patients and health professionals.

With Covid impacting the viability of seminars over the last two years, MDNZ decided to trial Zoom sessions, said general manager Anna Crane. “In the past we have undertaken some Zoom sessions for specific groups; this year, we decided to trial it for our public seminars, with an ophthalmologist presenting to people from around New Zealand.” Dr Andrew Thompson presented MDNZ’s February session to 86 Zoom attendees.

Feedback on the new online sessions included some participants saying it enabled them to attend when they otherwise wouldn’t have been able to, said Crane. “We were concerned our principal audience would have difficulty accessing the session through Zoom, however, with a little support, a number were able to join us and use Zoom for the first time.”

In other news, MDNZ now offers Chinese- and Korean-speaking educators and resources to increase the support available for the Asian community. “Our educators have each completed their first presentations and we are looking forward to engaging and raising awareness of macular degeneration in these communities,” said Crane.

To access these resources, contact MDNZ on info@mdnz.org.nz or 0800 622 852