Prevent Blindness provides free resources on Stargardt disease, including a webpage, fact sheets, expert interview video and social media graphics, to educate the public and professionals on the inherited retinal disease
Prevent Blindness has created new educational materials on Stargardt disease, a form of inherited retinal disease (IRD). Coinciding with May’s IRD Genetic Testing Awareness Month, Prevent Blindness now offers a dedicated webpage, fact sheets, a new Focus on Eye Health Expert Series episode, and social media graphics. The effort is supported by funding from Alkeus Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Stargardt disease is sometimes referred to as Stargardt macular degeneration, Stargardt macular dystrophy or juvenile macular dystrophy. Stargardt disease affects central vision due to a buildup of fatty material in the macula and is most commonly caused by a variant in the ABCA4 gene. According to the Cleveland Clinic, there are an estimated 30,000 to 200,000 people with Stargardt disease in the United States.
As part of its Focus on Eye Health Expert Series, Prevent Blindness offers the new episode, “Stargardt Disease,” featuring Elias Traboulsi, MD, MEd, Pediatric Ophthalmologist and Geneticist, Department of Ophthalmology, Cleveland Clinic.
Genetic testing is important for IRD diagnosis, including Stargardt disease. It may help to identify potential treatment options and create clinical trial opportunities for patients, as well as inform them about the potential risk of disease to other family members. To learn more about IRDs and benefits of genetic testing, visit Foundation Fighting Blindness at FightingBlindness.org/genetic-testing.
“Although there is no known cure for Stargardt disease today, there is promising new research being conducted through clinical trials,” said Jeff Todd, president and CEO of Prevent Blindness. “We encourage patients to speak with their eye doctors about their risk for Stargardt disease and other IRDs, as well as how to complete genetic testing to determine the best treatment path to preserve their vision.”