Prevent Blindness Offers New Resources for Education and to Raise Awareness for Stargardt Disease

Prevent Blindness has created new educational materials on Stargardt disease. Coinciding with May’s" IRD Genetic Testing Awareness Month," Prevent Blindness now offers a dedicated web page, fact sheets, a new 'Focus on Eye Health Expert Series' episode, and social media graphics. The effort is supported by funding from Alkeus Pharmaceuticals.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, there are an estimated 30,000 to 200,000 people with Stargardt disease in the United States. The most common symptom of Stargardt disease is a slow loss of central vision in both eyes. Other symptoms may include:

• Dark, gray, black, or hazy spots in the center of your vision
• Sensitivity to light
• Blurry vision that cannot be corrected with glasses
• Difficulty seeing small details
• Needing more time for your eyes to adjust between light and dark places
• Difficulty seeing in the dark or low light
• Color blindness
• Lack of depth perception
• Lack of contrast

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.