About 16 years ago, Olga Maxwell was diagnosed with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) – a disease that affects the central part of the retina at the back of the eye. 

There are two late forms of AMD: wet AMD – also known as neovascular AMD – and dry AMD – also known as geographic atrophy. 

Olga lives with geographic atrophy. 

“It didn’t progress for a very long time, but in the last 12 months it has been progressing quite rapidly,” she says. 

“I was just recently advised not to drive anymore. I was expecting it, but it was still a bit of a shock. 

“I’m a very independent person, and I haven’t lost my independence, but I don’t have the ability to jump in the car and go do something – I have to plan now.” 

Wet AMD can be managed with regular eye injections, but up until very recently people with dry AMD did not have any treatments available to slow their vision loss. 

In early 2025, Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration approved the first ever treatment to slow progression of the condition. 

Olga said it has been inspiring after participating in research to finally see the first ever treatment become reality. 

“To have seen everything that is being done over the last 16 years, I know that progress is being made.” 

This story was originally published in Share our vision: Annual Review 2024.