My Macular and Me sessions
Our Macular Disease Conference 2026 on Saturday 12 September had Macular and Me sessions tailored for people who are newly diagnosed with macular disease, as well as their family members, friends and caregivers.
Missed the live sessions? Watch or hear the sessions now. You’ll find practical information and advice on living with macular disease, wellbeing, relationships, support and making the most of your vision.
I’ve been newly diagnosed, what's next?
Speaker: Mark Chapman, Royal National Institute of Blind People eye care liaison officer at Luton and Dunstable University Hospital.
Description: Mark Chapman shares practical advice on what to do and where to find support after being diagnosed with an eye condition.
Nutrition and wellbeing
Speakers: Becky Parry and Ros Carr, advice and information services operators at Macular Society.
Description: Parry and Carr share practical advice on looking after your wellbeing and maintaining a healthy diet while living with macular disease.
Navigating relationships and getting the right support
Speakers: Macular Society’s Carly Johnson, head of mental health and wellbeing, and Sharon Hart, senior befriending coordinator.
Description: Johnson and Hart explore how sight loss can affect relationships and share practical ways to build connections and find support.
Peer support: connecting with others living with macular disease
Speakers: Macular Society’s Jo Fishwick community engagement manager for the South of England, and our group volunteers Elaine, Gill and Eddie.
Description: Fishwick, Elaine, Gill and Eddie share how connecting with others living with macular disease can provide support, friendship and a sense of community.
Maximising low vision
Speakers: The Macular Society’s Hannah Keegan, head of sight loss support, Natalie Bale, skills for seeing programme coordinator, and Claire Ashe, services administrator.
Description: Keegan, Bale and Ashe share practical techniques for making the most of your remaining vision, including eccentric viewing.
Practical support: hints and tips - Part 1
Speakers: Will Thornton, community engagement manager of North England, Macular Society, joined by volunteer Pat.
Description: Thornton and Pat share practical hints, tips, and ideas for adapting everyday tasks and overcoming some frustrations that sight loss can bring.
Practical support: hints and tips - Part 2
Speakers: Will Thornton, Macular Society’s community engagement manager North England, joined by volunteers Hazel and Anne.
Description: Thornton, Hazel, and demonstrate practical gadgets and techniques that can make everyday tasks, particularly preparing food and cooking, easier and safer when living with sight loss.
Live panel Q&A
Speakers: Emma Malcolm, director of income and transformation, Jessica Kirby, director of services, Hannah Keegan, head of sight loss support, and Carly Johnson, head of mental health & wellbeing at the Macular Society.
Description: The panel answer audience questions about living with macular disease, covering emotional support, relationships, adapting to changes in vision and maintaining independence.
Related resources
Find out more about the topics covered in this session with these Macular Society and RNIB resources.
Getting support after diagnosis
Nutrition, diet and supplements
- Nutrition for eye health and macular disease
- Diet and nutrition – your questions answered with Professor Ruth Hogg
- Supplements offer hope for advanced AMD with Dr Tiarnan Keenan
- Webinar: Can supplements slow the progression of late-stage AMD?
Emotional and peer support
Making the most of your remaining vision
- How to make the most out of your optician appointments
- Low vision aids
- Eccentric Viewing online training
Practical tips, gadgets and adaptations
- Looking after yourself
- Lighting at home: practical tips for people with sight loss
- Bumper pads: tactile markers to help find buttons and switches
Gadgets mentioned in the session
The speakers also mentioned these gadgets and adaptations:
- Liquid level indicator
- Bread slicer guide
- Talking scales
- Coloured knives
- Onion holder
- Talking meat thermometer
- Smart glasses, including Meta glasses
- Neck reading light
- Silicone oven gloves
Explore other conference sessions
Watch talks from the other sessions of the 2026 Macular Disease Conference.
Watch the full conference recording
Watch the complete recording of the 2026 Macular Disease Conference.
More on the Macular Disease Conference 2026
Explore recordings from the 2026 Macular Disease Conference, featuring expert talks and Q&A sessions on macular disease, research, treatment, wellbeing and practical support.