I'm A Patient
I'm A Provider
Direct Answer
New Zealand patients with dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) have access to several management approaches, ranging from routine monitoring to authorized device-based therapy. The right combination depends on the individual patient’s disease stage, rate of progression, and what they hope to achieve from treatment. No single option is appropriate for every person with dry AMD, and the full range of available approaches is best discussed with a qualified eye care provider.1
Current options include routine monitoring, lifestyle modifications, AREDS2 nutritional supplementation when clinically indicated, and device-based therapy for eligible patients. MacuMira is a Medsafe-notified medical device authorized for clinical use in New Zealand, indicated to improve visual function in patients with dry AMD and is available through clinics in New Zealand. Patients who have not had a recent conversation about their full range of options should raise this with their eye care provider.2
Dry AMD Management in the New Zealand Context
Age-related macular degeneration is one of the leading causes of vision loss in older New Zealanders. Like other high-income countries, New Zealand has an ageing population, and the number of people living with dry AMD is expected to grow in the coming decades. The healthcare system serves AMD patients through a combination of publicly funded services and private eye care, with specialist ophthalmology services generally accessed via GP referral within the public system.3
For many New Zealand patients, a dry AMD diagnosis has historically come with advice to monitor the condition and make lifestyle changes, with few additional options on offer. That picture has been changing as device-based therapy has become available. Understanding the current landscape and what to ask a provider helps patients make the most of the care available to them.
Routine Monitoring: The Ongoing Foundation
Regular eye examinations remain central to dry AMD management in New Zealand at every stage of disease. Monitoring with optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging allows an eye care provider to track structural changes in the macula over time, identify progression toward geographic atrophy, and detect early signs of conversion from dry to wet AMD, which requires different and more urgent treatment.1
The frequency of monitoring visits depends on disease severity. Patients with early dry AMD may be seen annually, while those with intermediate or advanced disease are often reviewed every 6 months or more frequently. Between appointments, Amsler grid self-monitoring helps patients detect changes in central vision that warrant earlier contact with their provider. This self-monitoring step is simple but often underemphasized in clinical conversations.
Lifestyle Modifications: Accessible and Evidence-Supported
Several lifestyle factors are consistently linked to AMD risk and rate of progression. Stopping smoking is the most significant modifiable factor, as smokers have substantially elevated rates of AMD progression compared with non-smokers. A diet rich in leafy green vegetables, colourful produce, and fish is associated with a lower risk of AMD. Wearing UV-protective sunglasses reduces cumulative light exposure to the retina. Managing cardiovascular conditions such as high blood pressure is also relevant to AMD risk.1
These changes require no prescription or referral and carry no clinical risk. They apply regardless of which other management approaches are in place. Patients who ask what they can do for themselves should receive specific, actionable guidance on this front rather than a general suggestion to “eat well and stay healthy.”
AREDS2 Supplementation for Eligible Patients
The AREDS2 formula, a combination of lutein, zeaxanthin, vitamin C, vitamin E, and zinc, was studied in a large clinical trial and found to reduce the risk of progression to advanced AMD by approximately 25% in patients with intermediate dry AMD or advanced AMD in one eye. This evidence is among the most robust available in dry AMD management and is widely incorporated into clinical guidelines internationally.4
AREDS2 supplementation is not appropriate for patients at early stages of dry AMD, where the evidence for benefit is less clear. It does not improve visual acuity or contrast sensitivity, and it is not a substitute for monitoring. In New Zealand, AREDS2 formula supplements are available from pharmacies and health retailers, but patients should have their AMD stage confirmed by an eye care provider before starting supplementation. Some formulations are not suitable for patients with certain health conditions.4
Device-Based Therapy for Improving Visual Function
Device-based therapy represents the most recent addition to the dry AMD management toolkit in New Zealand. Where monitoring and supplementation focus on tracking and managing disease risk, device-based therapy offers an option for patients who want to know whether anything can be done to improve the vision they currently have.2
MacuMira is a Medsafe-notified medical device authorized for clinical use in New Zealand, indicated to improve visual function in patients with dry AMD. It delivers low-level electrical stimulation in a noninvasive clinical setting, under the supervision of an eye care professional. In its published randomized, sham-controlled clinical trial, patients in the treatment group improved in both visual acuity and contrast sensitivity. MacuMira is not indicated for wet AMD and eligibility for treatment requires a clinical assessment.2
Device-based therapy is not appropriate for every patient with dry AMD. The degree of benefit varies between individuals and patients should discuss realistic expectations with their provider before starting. The treatment involves an initial series of sessions followed by ongoing maintenance visits approximately every 3 months. Patients who are considering this option should ask their eye care provider whether it is available at their current clinic or through a referral.2
Medsafe and Device Regulation in New Zealand
Medical devices used in New Zealand clinical settings are regulated by Medsafe, the New Zealand Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Authority, which sits within the Ministry of Health. Devices must meet defined safety and performance standards before they can be legally supplied in New Zealand. MacuMira is a Medsafe-notified medical device authorized for clinical use in New Zealand.5
Patients who want to understand the regulatory status of a device being offered to them can ask their provider directly. A reputable clinic should be able to confirm whether the device it uses has met New Zealand regulatory requirements. Understanding the difference between an approved device and an unregistered one is a reasonable part of evaluating any new treatment option.5
Low Vision Support
For patients who have already experienced significant vision loss, low vision rehabilitation offers practical support for maintaining independence. Low vision services in New Zealand are provided through a combination of public health services and community organizations, including the Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind (Blind Low Vision NZ), which offers support services and resources to New Zealanders with vision impairment.3
Low vision services do not treat dry AMD, but they can make a substantial difference to daily functioning. Patients who find that their vision loss is affecting their ability to read, drive, or manage daily tasks should ask their eye care provider for a referral to a low vision specialist or contact Blind Low Vision NZ directly.
Finding a Dry AMD Provider in New Zealand
New Zealand patients can find registered ophthalmologists through the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists (RANZCO), which covers both countries and maintains a find-a-specialist directory. The New Zealand Association of Optometrists (NZAO) offers a similar directory for finding registered optometrists.6
In the public health system, a GP referral is the standard pathway to ophthalmology care. Patients who want to access a provider with a specific focus on dry AMD management, including clinics that offer device-based therapy, can ask their GP to specify this when making a referral or seek an appointment directly through the private system.
Patients in major centers such as Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin are most likely to find practices with an AMD focus. Patients in smaller towns or rural areas may need to travel for certain types of care or arrange an initial telehealth consultation to determine what is available and whether travel is warranted.
What to Ask Your Eye Care Provider
- What stage of dry AMD do I have and what does the monitoring plan look like for my level of disease?1
- Am I eligible for AREDS2 supplementation, and is there anything in my health history that would affect this?4
- Is device-based therapy something I should explore, and is it available at this clinic or through a referral?2
- What lifestyle changes would have the most meaningful impact at my stage of AMD?
- Is the device used at this clinic authorized by Medsafe?5
- Would a referral to a low vision specialist be appropriate given my current level of functional vision?3
- How will we know if my current management plan is working and how often should we review it?
Key Takeaway
New Zealand patients with dry AMD have access to a range of management options, from routine monitoring and lifestyle modification to AREDS2 supplementation and authorized device-based therapy. No single option suits every patient, and the right plan depends on the AMD stage, progression, and individual goals. MacuMira is a Medsafe-notified medical device authorized for clinical use in New Zealand and indicated to improve visual function in appropriate patients with dry AMD. Patients who have not recently discussed their full range of options with an eye care provider should raise the conversation and ask what has changed since they were last assessed.
Disclaimer
This article is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Patients should speak with a qualified eye care professional to determine which treatment options are appropriate for their specific condition and health history. Information about New Zealand health services is general in nature; patients should confirm their specific eligibility and coverage with their provider.
Glossary
Dry AMD (dry age-related macular degeneration): A progressive retinal condition in which the macula gradually deteriorates, causing central vision loss. The most common form of AMD. Managed through monitoring, lifestyle changes, supplementation and device-based therapy for appropriate patients.
MacuMira: An authorized medical device indicated to improve visual function in patients with dry AMD through noninvasive, low-level electrical stimulation. For use under the supervision of an eye care professional. Not indicated for wet AMD.
Medsafe: The New Zealand Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Authority, responsible for regulating the safety of therapeutic products including medical devices used in New Zealand clinical settings.
RANZCO: The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists. The peak professional body for ophthalmologists in Australia and New Zealand. Maintains a find-a-specialist directory.
New Zealand Association of Optometrists (NZAO): The professional organization representing registered optometrists in New Zealand. Offers a directory for finding optometrists by location.
Blind Low Vision NZ: Formerly the Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind. A national organization providing support services and resources to New Zealanders with vision impairment.
AREDS2 formula: A nutritional supplement combination studied in the Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2. Shown to reduce progression risk in patients with intermediate or advanced dry AMD. Should be recommended by a clinician based on AMD stage.
Geographic atrophy: An advanced stage of dry AMD in which retinal pigment epithelium cells and photoreceptors break down, causing permanent central vision loss.
Optical coherence tomography (OCT): A noninvasive retinal imaging technology producing detailed cross-sectional images of the macula. The standard tool for staging and monitoring dry AMD.
Low vision rehabilitation: Specialized services helping patients with significant vision loss maintain independence through adaptive devices, lighting strategies and daily-life techniques.
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. 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.
3. About Us. Blind Low Vision NZ. Date not listed. Accessed June 2026. https://blindlowvision.org.nz/about-us/.
4. Lutein + Zeaxanthin and Omega-3 Fatty Acids for Age-Related Macular Degeneration: The Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 (AREDS2) Randomized Clinical Trial. AREDS2 Research Group. JAMA. Published May 15, 2013. Accessed June 2026. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/1684847.
5. Medsafe: New Zealand Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Authority. New Zealand Ministry of Health. Date not listed. Accessed June 2026. https://www.medsafe.govt.nz/.
6. Find a Specialist. Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists (RANZCO). Date not listed. Accessed June 2026. https://www.ranzco.edu/find-a-specialist/.
