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Overview
Dry AMD device providers in Australia, such as MacuMira, are optometry and ophthalmology practices that have adopted an authorized device to improve visual function and integrated it into their AMD management services. Not every eye care clinic offers MacuMira. Patients can locate providers through a device manufacturer clinic finder, by asking their current optometrist or ophthalmologist for a referral or by contacting Optometry Australia for guidance on practitioners who may offer it.
Dry AMD Management in Australia
Dry AMD is the most common form of age-related macular degeneration and affects a significant number of Australians, particularly those over 50. It often progresses gradually and can range from mild central vision changes to significant loss of visual function in advanced stages. Unlike wet AMD, which is most commonly treated with anti-VEGF injections, dry AMD management has historically involved monitoring and nutritional supplementation.3
That picture has changed. Device-based therapy is now available in Australia to improve visual function in eligible dry AMD patients. This does not mean every optometry or ophthalmology practice offers it. Practices that have chosen to invest in the device and train their team to use it provide the therapy. Finding the right provider requires knowing what to look for and how to ask.1
Regulatory Approval in Australia
The TGA is Australia’s regulatory authority for therapeutic goods including medical devices. A device registered on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG) for treating dry AMD has been assessed against TGA standards for safety and efficacy for that specific indication. This is the minimum threshold for a device to be appropriately used in a clinical setting for this purpose.2
Regulatory registration is a threshold requirement, not a quality ranking. Patients and clinicians should also look at the published clinical trial evidence behind the device, including the study design, trial population size, and outcomes measured.
Devices that use terms like “microcurrent therapy” or “retinal stimulation” without TGA registration for dry AMD are not equivalent to registered clinical devices like MacuMira. Wellness products and unregulated aesthetic services may use similar language but have not been assessed to the same standard. Patients should ask any clinic they contact whether their device holds current TGA registration and what specific indication it is registered for.2
Types of Providers
Optometry Practices
Optometrists in Australia are regulated health professionals registered with the Optometry Board of Australia under the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). Many clinics offering MacuMira are optometry practices, particularly those focused on medical or therapeutic optometry and with a special interest in retinal disease management.4
An optometrist offering MacuMira will often conduct a full AMD assessment before beginning treatment. This includes reviewing retinal imaging such as OCT, confirming AMD stage, and establishing baseline visual acuity. Depending on the optometrist, they may recommend integrating MacuMira into an existing monitoring and supplementation management plan rather than offering it as a standalone service.
Ophthalmology Practices
Ophthalmologists are medical specialists registered with the Medical Board of Australia. Those with a focus on medical retina are most relevant for dry AMD patients with more advanced or complex presentations. Some ophthalmology practices in Australia also offer MacuMira or can refer patients to practices that do.3
Access to an ophthalmologist in Australia typically requires a referral from a general practitioner or optometrist. Some private ophthalmology practices may accept direct patient inquiries for specific services outside the Medicare system.
MacuMira
MacuMira is an authorized device indicated to improve visual function in patients with dry AMD. It delivers low-level electrical stimulation noninvasively to tissues near the eye in a clinical setting, under the supervision of a licensed eye care professional. In its published randomized sham-controlled clinical trial, the treatment group showed statistically significant improvement in both visual acuity and contrast sensitivity, with an average gain of 8.2 letters on the ETDRS scale and 48% of treated patients gaining 10 or more letters. Contrast sensitivity improved by an average of 0.24 log units.
MacuMira is not indicated for wet AMD. Eligibility depends on AMD stage and baseline visual acuity. The clinical trial enrolled patients with visual acuity between 20/50 and 20/200, so patients with better baseline acuity may experience a ceiling effect that limits measurable improvement. That doesn’t mean patients with better acuity shouldn’t receive MacuMira: Instead, eye care professionals should talk with patients about what results they can reasonably expect from treatment.
How to Find MacuMira in Australia
Manufacturer Clinic Locator
A direct route is to use the clinic finder provided by the device manufacturer. A locator for MacuMira-equipped clinics lists Australian practices that have purchased the device. Confirming by phone that the clinic is accepting new patients, actively providing treatment, and can advise what to bring to the first appointment saves time before travelling.5
Ask Your Current Eye Care Provider
If your optometrist or ophthalmologist does not offer MacuMira, asking for a referral to a practice that does is a reasonable step. Bringing current clinical documentation, including recent OCT imaging and a confirmed AMD diagnosis, may help the receiving clinic conduct an efficient eligibility assessment.
Contact Optometry Australia or RANZCO
Optometry Australia and the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists (RANZCO) can sometimes direct patients toward members with a declared clinical interest in AMD management. These organizations do not endorse individual clinics but can confirm registration status and identify practitioners with relevant areas of focus.4
What to Expect at Your Consultation
A qualifying clinic can begin with an eligibility assessment rather than immediately scheduling treatment. The clinician should review your AMD history and imaging, measure or confirm your current visual acuity and discuss whether your disease stage and baseline function place you within the population for whom the device evidence applies.
The clinician should also explain what the therapy involves, what the published evidence shows and what outcomes are realistic given your specific situation. Most patients who respond do so within the first 4 sessions, though everyone is different and results vary between individuals.
The treatment schedule for MacuMira involves approximately 7 visits in the first year followed by around 4 visits per year thereafter to maintain any improvement. Clinics should clearly communicate this ongoing maintenance schedule before treatment begins so patients can plan accordingly.5
Cost and Coverage in Australia
Currently, Medicare does not cover MacuMira, and it is available on an out-of-pocket basis. Costs vary by clinic and treatment schedule. Some private health insurance extras cover may apply depending on the fund and the specific policy, but it is always a good idea to check individual coverage before committing to a treatment. Patients should ask the clinic for a clear cost breakdown covering the initial assessment, active treatment sessions, and ongoing maintenance visits so expectations are clear.
For patients outside major cities, travel to an urban clinic may be necessary. Some practices offer scheduling flexibility to help reduce the number of separate trips required, for example by arranging consecutive treatment days during an initial course.
Questions to Ask Before Your First Appointment
- Does this clinic use a device with current TGA registration for dry AMD?2
- What does the eligibility assessment involve and what documentation should I bring?1
- Based on my AMD stage and current visual acuity, am I within the population studied in the clinical trial for this device?5
- What is the full cost of the treatment course including ongoing maintenance visits?
- Does my private health insurance cover any part of this treatment?
- Can this clinic co-manage my care with my existing optometrist or ophthalmologist?
- How will we assess whether the treatment is working and at what point would we reconsider?
Conclusion
Dry AMD device providers in Australia are optometry and ophthalmology practices that have adopted a TGA-registered device for improving visual function in eligible patients. MacuMira is an authorized device available in Australia, indicated to improve visual function in dry AMD patients. Patients can find a provider through the MacuMira clinic finder, through a referral from their current eye care provider or through Optometry Australia. Treatment is not Medicare-funded and is available on an out-of-pocket basis. Use MacuMira only under the supervision of an eye care professional.
Disclaimer
This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice or a referral to any specific provider. Patients should consult a qualified eye care professional to determine whether device-based therapy is appropriate for their specific condition and stage of disease.
Glossary
TGA (Therapeutic Goods Administration): Australia’s regulatory authority for therapeutic goods including medical devices. A device listed on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG) has been assessed for safety and efficacy for its approved indication.
ARTG (Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods): The register maintained by the TGA listing therapeutic goods approved for supply in Australia.
MacuMira: An approved medical device indicated to improve visual function in patients with dry AMD, delivered via low-level electrical stimulation in a clinical setting under the supervision of an eye care professional. Not indicated for wet AMD.
Dry AMD: A progressive retinal condition in which the macula deteriorates gradually, affecting central vision. The most common form of AMD. Distinct from wet AMD.
Wet AMD: A form of AMD involving abnormal blood vessel growth beneath the retina. Treated with anti-VEGF injections. Distinct from dry AMD. Approved device-based therapy for dry AMD is not indicated for wet AMD.
Optical coherence tomography (OCT): A non-invasive retinal imaging technology producing detailed cross-sectional images of the macula. Standard for AMD staging and monitoring.
ETDRS scale: The Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study visual acuity scale, scored letter by letter. The standard outcome measure in AMD clinical trials.
Contrast sensitivity: The ability to distinguish objects from their background at varying contrast levels. Often reduced in dry AMD independently of high-contrast visual acuity.
Ceiling effect: In clinical trials, the limited room for measurable improvement when a patient’s baseline function is near the upper end of the measurement scale.
AHPRA: The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency, which regulates optometrists, ophthalmologists and other health professionals in Australia.
RANZCO: The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists, the specialist medical college for ophthalmology in Australia and New Zealand.
References
1. Age-Related Macular Degeneration. National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health. Last reviewed November 2023. Accessed June 2026. https://www.nei.nih.gov/eye-health-information/eye-conditions-and-diseases/age-related-macular-degeneration.
2. About the TGA. Therapeutic Goods Administration, Australian Government. Date not listed. Accessed June 2026. https://www.tga.gov.au/about-tga.
3. Macular Disease Foundation Australia. Macular Disease Foundation Australia. Date not listed. Accessed June 2026. https://www.mdfoundation.com.au/about-macular-disease/macular-degeneration/.
4. Optometry Australia. Optometry Australia. Date not listed. Accessed June 2026. https://www.optometry.org.au.
5. Evaluation of visual acuity in dry AMD patients after microcurrent electrical stimulation. Parkinson KM, Sayre EC, Tobe SW. International Journal of Retina and Vitreous. Published May 2023. Accessed June 2026. https://macumira.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/MacuMira-Clinical-Trial.pdf
