ISLANDERS fighting a debilitating eye condition will no longer face a 14-hour treatment trip after services were rolled out on Shetland.
In January the UK-wide Macular Society hit out at "cruel" NHS gaps that left patients to endure long trips to Aberdeen for the monthly injections required to slow the progression of wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
The chronic eye disorder effects those aged 50 and over, causing gaps or spots in vision and distorting straight lines. Without regular injections, patients can rapidly lose all central vision, leaving them unable to read, watch television or make out the faces of their loved ones.
The charity said dozens of elderly patients were forced to make overnight ferry trips to Aberdeen to access the crucial treatment as no on-island help was in place.
Now chief executive Cathy Yelf has welcomed the launch of a specialist service in Shetland capital Lerwick.
She said: “We’ve been extremely concerned that patients in Shetland, who are predominately elderly, have been facing these very long and arduous journeys for vital treatment. An on-island service will make a significant difference to these people and their families and help prevent unnecessary sight loss.”
AMD is the biggest cause of sight loss in the UK and is known to affect around 600,000 people.
Claire Hurst, who runs a Macular Society support group in Shetland, has made monthly trips to Aberdeen ever since receiving her AMD diagnosis three years ago. She said: "The thought of the long journey is overbearing and every month the thought of it dominates your life.
“For me there was no question as to whether I would make the journey or not. I know the injections are saving my sight.
“Not having to travel to the appointment this month has come as a huge relief. It is so tiring and the journey itself could be very unpleasant.
“I know it is a huge burden on everyone and I’ve spoken to and know of lots of people at our support group who are delighted they no longer have to endure these long and difficult journeys, including those who were too frail to make the journey to Aberdeen.”
Thanking Health Secretary Jeane Freeman (pictured above), Shetland MSP Tavish Scott said: “A Shetland based eye service is a great step forward. For too long people have had to travel south to Aberdeen for treatments they should have always received in Lerwick."
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