OPTOMETRIST Patricia Wild has been nominated for a UK award after helping to set up a local sight loss support group and campaigning for improved services.
Patricia, based in Farmhill and Ramsey, is in the running for the Chairman’s Award for Volunteering as part of the Macular Disease Society 25th Anniversary Awards for Excellence. The nomination recognises her dedication to the charity’s local support group and to raising awareness of macular disease on the island.
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) affects the central vision and is the most common cause of sight loss in the western world.
Treatment is available for one form of the condition known as ‘wet’ AMD, but people on the island currently have to make regular trips to Liverpool to receive this. Ms Wild has campaigned tirelessly to call for treatment to be made available locally, generating a petition of more than 5,000 signatures.
The Macular Disease Society has more than 240 local support groups, aiming to increase the confidence and independence of people affected by central vision loss.
Ms Wild said: ‘I was stunned and flattered to hear about the award nomination.
‘Not being able to receive treatment on the island is a huge problem. At the moment people have to catch the first flight over to Liverpool in the morning and are getting back quite late, many are elderly and exhausted by the day. ‘Sometimes people discontinue treatment due to exhaustion. Immediately after the injection their vision is worse and they may have to wait hours in the airport unable to see or read to pass the time. We need on-island treatment and if the service cannot be provided locally we are requesting a visiting service such as is provided for other specialities.
‘It’s devastating for people when they are diagnosed with macular disease and can be so upsetting. We’ve got to do all we can to help and must not give up.
‘The local support group provides people with a great opportunity to meet others affected by the same condition to some degree. It’s very beneficial for them to sit down together and talk about coping mechanisms, something they would not be able to do in isolation.”
John Levitt, who nominated Ms Wild, said: ‘Patricia has promoted awareness of macular degeneration among her fellow professionals with the aim of improving early diagnosis and treatment facilities in the Isle of Man.
‘She was one of the founder members of the Macular Disease Society’s Manx group and acts as the group secretary. She has given time and effort which has made a significant contribution to the growth and success of the group. She has spearheaded action to seek to improve treatment by organizing public awareness sessions and setting up a petition to the Isle of Man Government which has attracted more than five thousand signatures.’
The awards take place on September 22.
The Macular Disease Society’s support group in the Isle of Man meets on the third Friday of every month from 11am – 1pm at the Manx Blind Welfare Society, Corrin Court, Heywood Avenue, Onchan.
