Welcome to your February e-newsletter. We’ve got a bumper edition for you, packed with the latest news on how, together, we are Beating Macular Disease.
Artificial intelligence, or AI seems like something out of a science fiction book! But as Dr Wen Hwa Lee told us in January’s exclusive My Macular and Me webinar, one of its most promising applications is in healthcare. Dr Lee revealed some very exciting insights into the work being done and, even more excitingly, how you and your loved ones can help. Over the next few months, we will be revealing more detail and look forward to taking you on this journey with us.
How could your data play a part in the future of eye care?
Joining our monthly My Macular and Me webinar in January, Dr Wen Hwa Lee, chief executive officer and chief scientist of charity Action Against AMD (AAAMD), revealed how the eye scans of you and your family could play a part in the future of eye care.
“It’s only now that I have seen the impact macular disease has on people”
Denise is a retired ophthalmic nurse and Macular Society group leader. She shares her experiences as a volunteer and how, despite her career in eye care, it is only now that she understands the true impact macular disease has on many people’s lives.
Cost of living – support for people with sight loss
It can be a minefield trying to navigate the financial support available to you if you have a sight condition. However, the Macular Society’s Working Age and Young People’s Service manager, Colin Daniels, is here to help.
“I noticed when new people joined, they would come with so much fear in their eyes”
Vera became a Macular Society group leader a few years after her late husband Peter was diagnosed with age-related macular degeneration (AMD). But, after Peter passed away in 2021, the 82-year-old vowed to continue leading the group in his memory and help reduce the fear and isolation she’d seen.
Improving hospital eye care services
Leading age-related macular degeneration (AMD) specialist, Martin McKibbin, will be joining this month’s My Macular and Me webinar to reveal the results from the UK’s first AMD audit. The aim of the audit is to identify best practice, in order to improve outcomes for all patients across NHS services in the UK. Martin will be joined by consultant ophthalmologist Sofia Theodoropoulou. The pair will also explain how you could help shape the future of AMD services.
Developments in diabetic retinopathy
Our second My Macular and Me webinar of the month will welcome Professor Tunde Peto from Queen’s University Belfast. Professor Peto specialises in retinal diseases, with an emphasis on diabetic retinopathy. She will discuss the latest developments in research which could benefit patients living with sight loss caused by diabetes.
Share your experience of treatment delays
The Association of Optometrists (AOP) has launched a survey to understand more about your experiences of eye care over the last two years.
The AOP wants to understand more about the treatment or care your receive, including whether you have faced any unnecessary delays.
The survey should take no longer than five minutes to complete online and will help AOP to speak up for patients to the Government and the NHS.
Those who are prepared, save big
How about getting set for Christmas nice and early? We just wanted to let you know that our online shop has some special offers on Christmas cards right now. All profits help Beat Macular Disease.
Join us and Beat Macular Disease
Macular disease is the biggest cause of blindness in the UK, but our community of members is fighting back! Sign up to become a member today and join the fight against macular disease.
Advice and Information Service 0300 3030 111 – help@macularsociety.org
