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Daphne's story
“I hope my gift will help with research. It’s so important. Macular disease can happen to anyone.”
![Daphne (right) with her friend](/media/dvfeae0b/daphne_1v2.jpg?width=2800&rnd=133639768658470000&quality=40)
“I can remember it so clearly. It was 2017, my friend and I had gone on a river cruise. We used to go up on deck to take photos, because there was always something interesting to look at. One day we’d been up on deck, and when I came down my right eye felt really uncomfortable. I wondered if it was the light.
“But when we got back, I was on the phone to my daughter, resting my head on my hand which was covering my left eye, and I turned to look at my birthday cards and they were all blurred. I couldn’t understand why.
“I went to the optician, and he did a scan. He said, “I’m afraid you’ve got wet macular degeneration in your right eye.”
“It didn’t really register. I didn’t know what was going on. I was angry. I thought, why has this happened?
“I went to the hospital – I thought they would say it was just blood pressure or something – but the doctor said, “How do you feel about eye injections?” Well, I’ve had lots of injections since, and they helped – but the scarring is too bad now so the injections won’t work anymore. I just go for check-ups every 8 weeks.
“They can’t guarantee I won’t get it in the left eye too, but I’m being positive. I love to read and I do a lot of sewing and knitting, and for now I can still do those things. I would really miss that if I get it in both eyes. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that I’ll be lucky and it won’t come in my left eye, but I know it could happen.
![Daphne with three generations of her family](/media/wkzjllee/daphne_2.jpg?width=2800&rnd=133432422557430000&quality=40)
“Your eyesight is so precious. Other conditions you can manage, but your eyesight is just so precious.
“I found it very reassuring to join the Macular Society. I joined one of the support groups, and you get a lot of useful information and can ask questions. It’s nice to know you’re not on your own.
“During one talk, we were told about the free Wills service. I thought this was a great idea, and I needed to update my Will as it hadn’t been done since my husband passed away 30 years ago. And it was all so easy to do.
“I’ve left a gift to the Macular Society because I have macular disease, and what they’re doing is excellent. They do a wonderful job, funding research and supporting us.
“I’m 93 now. One day there will be a cure, it will happen but it takes a long time and it’s expensive. But you never know, it might happen in my lifetime!”