"I always have a tear or two as I realise how lucky I am to receive treatment"

After more than 200 eye injections, Derrick still travels home after each appointment with tears in his eyes as he is so grateful for treatment and the vision that he still has, years after being diagnosed with wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

It was 17 years ago when he first noticed changes to his vision when straight lines were appearing wavy. Within two years he was diagnosed with AMD in both eyes.

Derrick recalled: “It started with a wrinkly line when I was holding a piece of wood, then the same thing happened in the garden but what really frightened me was by the back door when my vision went wavy.

“I went to see my doctor who said I had floaters so I was sent up to the eye clinic. But I was then referred on again where I was given a scan and when the doctor showed me the result I didn’t understand it. That’s when he said to me, really heartlessly, ‘look at that, you’re losing your sight.’

“I was so taken aback. I was really upset, and frightened because my eyes had been central to my working life, I had always had good vision. It was a hell of a shock because I didn't even know what macular degeneration was then. I was astounded because suddenly this is what I had and I was losing my sight.”

Keep yourself informed

Describing himself as a positive man, retired teacher Derrick, now 91, quickly looked online for support. He discovered the Macular Society and was able to learn more about his newly-diagnosed condition.

“I’m a member, I make a donation and read what I can to keep myself up to date,” he said. “I know I can phone up too and talk about things, get information about what I’m going through. That helps to deal with it rather than just being told you're going to go blind. The Macular Society is like an anchor; it’s got all the information and support in one place. You feel as if there's a hand there, if you need it.”

Learning to adapt with Skills for Seeing

Derrick reached out responding to a feature he saw in the charity’s Sideview magazine about the Skills for Seeing service. He wanted support with using his computer.

He said: “I’ve dealt with what I have well but it comes down to pushing yourself a bit and I wanted to learn more.

“I’ve learned apps are very good, especially ones that talk back to you. It was good, the person I was referred to was helpful and also I got feedback and what I was already doing in my life to help myself.

“It’s a great service from the Macular Society, in that it’s simple to pick up the phone to someone and chat about what you can do to make your life a little bit easier.”

Derrick, 91, added: “Don’t be afraid to ask people for help. Deal with what you’ve got and talk to someone who knows about it. Gain knowledge and it’s how I’ve adapted over the years. Everyone has different ways of dealing with their diagnosis but do what you can to not let it change your life.”

Injections are not to be feared

Treatment has also played a huge part in Derrick’s life over the last 17 years. He currently receives Vabysmo injections every 10 weeks and he’s grateful for them.

He said: “I’ve been to hospital so much, I’ve experienced so many of these so I can be honest with people. I tell them ‘you know it’s not going to be nice, but it’s nowhere near what you think it’s going to be like.’ I’m not afraid of having an injection and in a way it is the most wonderful thing because it is trying to save your sight.

“I go to the clinic and I smile and if I can encourage others who are waiting for their injections I will.

“I’m known as the ‘chocolate man’ among staff, as I like to gift chocolate and biscuits to the nurses as a thank you for their efforts. I can’t say thank you enough really. On my way home I often have a few tears because I’m astounded at the treatment I’ve had over the years to help keep the vision I have.

“Whilst the right eye vision is not as good as the left heaven knows what it'd be like if I hadn't had the treatment.

“So when I’m at the clinic, I do leave my copy of Sideview magazine in there for others, I spread the word about the Macular Society and how it helps people and offers information about their condition. It’s a big help and for your mind too, as I believe that it can also help you if you know you’re doing the best for yourself.”

Derrick’s tips for living with macular disease:

-        For using a laptop, connect it to a larger monitor. Use a large keyboard with contrasting-coloured keys.

-        Fit lighting to the top of your glasses for reading or looking at objects closely.

-        Don’t give up and keep yourself informed.