Vision for the future

Retired Gisborne cartoonist, graphic designer and sports historian Eric Hoggins has spent a lifetime creating fine art work. He considers himself more of a graphic designer than the cartoonist he is most renowned for. “I did very fine work, as well as drawing cartoons by hand, most of it in an era well before computers.”

He is surprised that with the nature of his working life, he did not start wearing glasses until the age of 84.

“I put on a pair of my late wife Mary’s glasses one day,” he said. "I could read a lot better. Everything was much clearer.”

Mr Hoggins was surprised and had his eyes checked. He was surprised again.

“They found I had a serious defect in my right eye.”

He had macular degeneration or MD, which is the leading cause of blindness in the country. Mr Hoggins underwent “top notch” care and treatment at Gisborne Hospital. He estimates he had a dozen injections into his eye over 18 months.

"I can’t praise the Gisborne Hospital staff enough. They are the ultimate professionals.”

Today Mr Hoggins describes reading the phone book as one of his biggest challenges. He can manage the Gisborne Herald if he has good light.

MD is the leading cause of blindness in NZ but the most severe form is treatable.

“It is important to get the word out about how important early detection is,” Mr Hoggins said.

He regrets not being aware of changes in his eyes before being diagnosed three years ago.

“It is important to get the word out about how important early detection is”