Lynette's story

Lynette

Lynette’s early diagnosis and treatment saved her from going blind.

I was 40 when I discovered I had macular degeneration. I know a lot of elderly people get it but mine was hereditary; both my mother and grandfather had macular degeneration so I knew it was possible that I would get it too.

I found out that I had macular degeneration quite by accident after something flew into my eye and scratched my cornea.

My ophthalmologist noticed bleeding at the back of my eye. It was then that he told me I had macular degeneration. My first thought was that I still had the other eye but then the specialist told me that it would affect both eyes.

I had the option of having the affected eye lasered at the public hospital or go for private treatment. I chose the private option but it was quite aggressive and in the end it didn’t save my sight.

Two years later macular degeneration affected the other eye. I drove to work turned on the computer and then couldn’t see; I picked up my cell phone and couldn’t see the numbers; my central vision had gone.

I immediately went for treatment, which meant injections into my eye, which eventually restored the sight in that eye.

I now go to Auckland every month for injections; although I know that eventually I will lose my remaining sight. As soon as the vessels in the centre of the eye go, that’s it!

The most important thing that people must realise is how quickly they must act if they have any signs of macular degeneration. It’s critical that as soon as you see something abnormal you get immediate attention and don’t leave it ’til next week!’

If Lynette had not sought immediate assistance, she would now be legally blind.