Get your eyes checked regularly
AHawke’s Bay macular degeneration sufferer father and daughter duo has urged fellow sufferers not to letMDstop themfrom living a positive life.
The disease causes loss in the centre of the field of vision.
Diagnosed nine years ago, MDsufferer GrantThompson said people must remain upbeat and continue living their life to the fullest amidMD awarenessweek(November 2 to 9).
“Be positive— it’s not the end of the world,” he said.” You will never lose your sight; you will always have peripheral vision.
“Myeyes aren’t too bad after nine years; I’m still able to play table tennis. In fact, I recently wona Hawke’s Bay table tennis title.”
But, the father-of-three also urged people not to ignore symptoms.
“If anyone suspects that they have MD, you must go off to an ophthalmologist straight awayand get it seen to and treated because they can treat it and they can stabilise it,” he said.
Macular degeneration affects one in seven people over the age of 50 inNew Zealand.
Thompson’s daughter Donnawas also diagnosed three years ago, at the age of 49.
“Mydaughter found it very difficult coping. It was a shock to her,” Thompsonsaid.
Donnasaidwhenshe tested herself on an Amsler grid at her father’s house sheknew therewasan issue.
AnAmsler grid is a tool that eye doctors use to detect vision problems resulting from damageto the macula or the optic nerve.
“I’d been having blue flashes in front ofmyeyes. The lines on the grid were wobbly, so I went to see the ophthalmologist,” she said.
Thompsonwent straight to the hospital with his daughter, where Donna’s condition was so serious she had to have two injections in both eyes.
According to Macular Degeneration NZ, almost half (49 per cent) ofNew Zealanders don’tknowabout macular degeneration— which putsthem at risk of missing key signs in theirowneye health.
Macular DegenerationNZ general manager Phillippa Pitcher said it’s imperative that people get their eyes checked regularly.
“Sadly macular degeneration is not uncommonand the risks increase asweage. It is important that allNew Zealanders aged 40plus get their eyes checked regularly
but also cruciallyknowthe signs to look out for,” she said.
“Wehope that by raising awareness of the condition and the signs to look out for
wecan avoid future cases of needless vision loss. Early detection and prompt treatment saves sight,” Pitcher added.