In the Netherlands, more than 1.2 million people have an eye condition. The number of people who are blind or partially sighted continues to rise. Deterioration in vision can often be prevented if you catch it in time. That is why Time for MAX, together with the Eye Fund, draws attention to the health of our eyes. Guests include writer Ronald Giphart. He has the eye disease macular degeneration and there is a chance that his eyes will fail him. Ophthalmologist and researcher Camiel Boon talks about a breakthrough in the treatment of hereditary retinal disorders and Francis van Broekhuizen makes an appearance. Time for MAX can be seen on Tuesday, March 3 at 5:10 PM on MAX on NPO 1.
More than three hundred thousand Dutch people are partially sighted or blind. Eye disorders can affect anyone and often develop gradually, so people do not notice them right away. Early detection and treatment can prevent vision loss in many cases. But there is not yet a good solution for many eye diseases.
Eye disease Ronald Giphart
Writer and ambassador of the Eye Fund Ronald Giphart has the eye disease macular degeneration, just like his father and grandmother. “I don’t notice anything at the moment, but what will happen if my vision disappears? Not being able to read anymore and that coupled with my profession, that is really a nightmare for me”said Giphart. Professor Caroline Klaver, an ophthalmologist at Erasmus MC and Radboud University Medical Center, is working on a breakthrough to better predict this eye condition. “With this knowledge we can initiate the right treatment at an early stage. The development of targeted treatments is also very hopeful“, said Klaver.
Mother and children have the same eye condition
In Time for MAX the story of Kristy (33), who is losing more and more of her sight as a result of a hereditary retinal disease: “Over the past four years my vision has deteriorated by almost half, I now only see sixteen percent“, she says. Kristy has pinned all her hopes on gene therapy, especially for her two children who have the same eye disease: “It comes too late for me, but it might still help my children. This therapy can determine their future, time is running out.”
Breakthrough hereditary eye disorders
Professor of Ophthalmology Camiel Boon from Amsterdam UMC is involved in new research to treat hereditary retinal diseases safely and effectively. With gene therapy, Boon wants to repair a defective gene in the cells or add a healthy gene; an approach that should offer a solution for several hereditary disorders. “We are in the early stages of a small revolution. After years of research, we are now increasingly seeing the possibilities of gene therapy. That gives hope to many families“, says Boon.
About the Eye Fund
The number of people with an eye condition is increasing and the solution lies in information, prevention and scientific research into faster and better diagnoses, better treatments and, where possible, a cure. The Eye Fund finances scientific research into the prevention and treatment of eye diseases and provides information about eye health. With the ultimate goal: preventing blindness and visual impairment as a result of eye diseases.
Time for MAX
Tuesday March 3
At 5.10 pm at MAX on NPO 1
Presentation: Sybrand Niessen and Martine van Os
date:2026-02-11 10:00:00
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