Information event for people affected by UK’s biggest sight loss condition

A conference to help Carmarthen, Ammanford and Llanelli locals affected by the UK’s biggest cause of sight loss is taking place at 10:30 am on Friday, 19 November.

Leading sight loss charity the Macular Society is holding the virtual patient information event with speakers from the Hywel Dda Health Board for anyone affected by age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the most common form of macular disease.

Speaking at the event will be Eirini Skiadaresi, Consultant Ophthalmologist at Hywel Dda Health Board; Karen Roderick, Rehabilitation Officer;

Sarah Williams, Eye Clinic Liaison Officer and Adele Francis, senior regional manager for the Macular Society. They will talk about current AMD treatments, how to manage and adapt to life with sight loss and where to find support outside of the eye clinic.

Karen Roderick said: “This event is very much needed for all those who are affected by macular degeneration. I’ll be talking about how Social Services is developing its sensory impairment support and how we can help anyone with sight loss, including those who are newly diagnosed.”

The one-hour Zoom event, which can also be joined via conference call, runs from 10:30 am until 11:30 am. There will be a Q&A session at the end, and family members and friends of those affected are also very welcome to  

join. To register for the event please use this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEscuqhrDIiHtDerpnBdUTFz5yMdGE6I2kU

Adele Francis said: “Information events like these are a great way for anyone who has just been diagnosed with this condition to find out more and to ask questions. Attendees will also hear about the support and help that the Macular Society provide. We welcome anyone interested to learn more about macular disease to join us.

“Whilst the coronavirus continues to have an impact, the health and wellbeing of everyone remains our priority. However, sight loss can be incredibly isolating and it’s absolutely vital that everyone who needs our support continues to receive it. We are still on the end of the phone and would strongly urge anyone to call us if they do need information or advice.”  

The Macular Society provides a range of services including local support groups that provide a welcoming and compassionate place for people with the condition, as well as their family and friends, to learn more about their diagnosis. The support groups can help people to build their confidence, and better understand their own condition.

Macular disease is the biggest cause of sight loss in the UK. Nearly 1.5 million people are currently affected and many more are at risk. The disease can have a devastating effect on people’s lives, leaving them unable to drive, read or see faces. Many people affected describe losing their sight as being similar to bereavement. There is still no cure and most types of the disease are not treatable.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the most common form of macular disease, affecting more than 600,000 people, usually over the age of 50.

For more details about local support services provided by the charity, contact Adele at adele.francis@macularsociety.org or 07494 468 007.

All of the charity’s regional managers have Facebook pages and Twitter accounts that provide more local updates and are another way that people can get in contact.

For general information on macular disease, call the Macular Society on 0300 3030 111 or email help@macularsociety.org