Angela Carmela, 90, began experiencing problems with her vision in her mid-80s. Having lived on her own for many years, Angela became frustrated as she began having difficulty day-to-day fastening clothing with zips and making out the number dials, or settings, on electrical appliances. She had to stop driving and getting about with blurred vision was starting to become an issue.
“At 90 I feel like I have my life back…I can walk to the local supermarket with my shopping trolley and shop for myself. I’ve even started back with my favourite hobby – gardening.”
Angela, Macular Degeneration patient at Practice Plus Group Ophthalmology, Rochdale
After visiting her optician to check out her eye concerns, Angela Carmela was given new glasses, but saw little improvement. As time went on, she eventually visited her GP, who made a formal diagnosis of Macular Degeneration – a vision impairment resulting from deterioration of the central part of the retina, a thin layer at the back of the eye on the inner side. Despite a course of treatment, when things didn’t significantly improve, she was told there was not much more that could be done to help her eye sight and she took the decision to move in with her daughter.
Angela says: “I registered with a new optician in Rochdale who referred me to Manchester eye hospital. After a few visits and various tests, the diagnosis of Macular Degeneration was confirmed again. I was offered more eye injections, but having found them to be ineffective before, I didn’t want to go through more rounds of the same treatment.
“Fortunately, my granddaughter had heard of a local eye clinic run by Practice Plus Group. My family requested a referral from my Optician to their service.
Seeking a second opinion with Practice Plus Group made all the difference to her vision – and her lifestyle.
“Fortunately, my granddaughter had heard of a local eye clinic run by Practice Plus Group…I’d advise anyone anyone to seek out a second opinion if they are having eye troubles. Practice Plus Group have been fantastic and I’d recommend them to anyone.”
Angela, Macular Degeneration patient at Practice Plus Group Ophthalmology, Rochdale
Angela says, “I was really struggling with my eyes every day. Simple things that I took for granted like zipping up my coat were becoming challenging. After seeing my optician and receiving new specs I grew increasingly concerned as my eyesight didn’t improve. I decided to go to my local GP, who eventually diagnosed me with Macular Degeneration and I was given a course of eye injections. Sadly they didn’t do the trick and my practitioner said there was little more they could do for me. It was only when I moved to Manchester to live with my daughter that my eyesight journey took a positive turn.
“From the very first visit to Practice Plus Group the staff were professional, caring and friendly. They put me at ease and explained everything fully. After a couple of visits they offered a course of three injections using a different medicine than I’d received before – and what a difference they made! Literally all the fluid had gone from my eyes and my sight seemed so much better. After years of not being able to manage zips and switches independently, I was now able to do these with ease!
“It is now one year since my last injection and things have not worsened at all – in fact they have stabilised. My improved eyesight and independence boosted my confidence so much that I decided to move into my own apartment and live independently once more. It’s wonderful. At 90 I feel like I have my life back. My daughter, Maria, visits regularly as she lives nearby so I have the best of both worlds – my family close at hand, but living independently.
“I can walk to the local supermarket with my shopping trolley and shop for myself, and I’ve even started back with my favourite hobby – gardening. I love to potter about in the garden especially now I have my own again.
“I’d advise anyone to seek out a second opinion if they are having eye troubles. Practice Plus Group have been fantastic and I’d recommend them to anyone – without their help, I don’t think I’d be where I am today.”
