Sight loss petition handed to government - Isle of Man News

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Sight loss petition handed to government

BETTER TREATMENT: From left, John Watson, Amy Levitt, John Levitt, Aileen Cubbon, Bill Welden and Patricia Wild

By John Turner
Published on 29/07/2012 07:00

A PETITION calling for better treatment for one of the most common causes of blindness in the Western world has been handed to the island’s government.

The 4,000-signature document, which asks for treatment to be carried out on-island for macular disease, was handed over to the Department of Health by committee members of the Macular Disease Society’s local support group.

Although one form of the disease can be treated by injections, patients have to travel to Liverpool to receive them.

Support group leader John Levitt said: ‘The current situation is very poor, there seems to be delays at every stage, including the referral process.

‘The journey over to Liverpool is also a real problem. People have to catch an early flight and often do not return until 8pm, all for something that actually only takes about half an hour. This is particularly bad when people are elderly and worried about what is happening to their eyesight. There have been cases of people who have stopped receiving treatment because the travelling is too much for them.’

The Macular Disease Society’s support group meets on the third Friday of every month at the Manx Blind Welfare Society, in Onchan. For more information contact 862537.

For information, advice or support about macular disease, contact the Macular Disease Society’s helpline on 0300 3030 111 or email help(at)maculardisease.org.

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Sight loss petition handed to government

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