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Weekly Edition - 28 March 2015

 

Local News Report - Mobile Page

 

St Paul's Eye Unit - a spectacle for the Lord Mayor

SAVED VISION: Margaret Lunt tells her story to the Lord Mayor, Erica Kemp CBE, of her eye trials and how they eventually led to her sight being saved.

THE Lord Mayor of Liverpool visited St. Paul's Eye Unit at the Royal to see for herself why the department was granted:- 'Freedom of the City' last week. The experience demonstrated why the renowned unit deserved such high acclaim and during the visit the Lord Mayor, Erica Kemp CBE, met Margaret Lunt, 83, of Kirkby, who started receiving pioneering treatment; in the last millennium; which eventually saved her from going blind.  Margaret had reached the age of 64 without having to wear spectacles - but in 1996 discovered she had age related macular degeneration (AMD) - a condition which normally leads to blindness. Margaret said:- "I remember back in 1996 - I'd reached 64 years and came to the Royal for an eye appointment at St Paul's. I was sitting next to a woman who had blood in her eyes and I thought there's not much hope for her. It turned out that her eyes were fine and it was me who had a problem with vision."

A mother of 5 girls and 1 boy; Margaret's initial concern was around her late husband, Tommy, as he wasn't the best of cooks!  Margaret said:- "Tommy died 18 years ago; but my 1st reaction was to teach him to cook before my vision became worse."

A pilot research study for Photo Dynamic Therapy (PDT) was about to start and the mother of 6 immediately volunteered to be included in the eye trials. Margaret added:- "I had nothing to lose because at that time there was simply no treatment for AMD."

During the trial, Margaret was required to attend the hospital every month for the next 2 years as well going to Aberdeen eye clinic, in Scotland, for the first treatment of the PDT clinical trial; which showed a strong commitment from Margaret.

EYE TEAM: Sandra Taylor, lead research nurse, Martin Hodson, ophthalmic image technician, the Lord Mayor of Liverpool, Sajjad Ahmad with Margaret Lunt.

The trial results eventually led to the prescription medicine Lucentis being introduced which saved Margaret's vision. This made it possible for her to live an independent life with her little Westie dog, Harry - after her husband had passed away.  Margaret added:- "The treatment was marvellous and I am so grateful because it has meant I've been able to live by myself without having to be dependent on others. I am able to visit my children and recently went shopping in Leeds with my daughter Maureen."

The Lord Mayor, Erica Kemp CBE, added:- "Visiting St Paul's Eye Unit was a real eye opener in more ways than one! The advancement in treatment and technology is incredible at the Royal - I can see why so many eye experts move to Liverpool to be part of this centre of excellence. My day was made when I got to meet and chat with Margaret about her excellent eye treatment and the story of how her sight had been saved. This has given her real independence and made a huge difference to her quality of life."

Sajjad Ahmad, senior clinical lecturer at the University of Liverpool, added:- "It was a real honour that the Lord Mayor could spend some time with us at St Paul's Eye Unit. It was also great to meet Margaret who was attending a clinic appointment. Margaret was our first ever patient to enrol into a clinical trial and happened to be attending clinic that day. The award we will be getting this week from the City and the Lord Mayor is as much a testimony to our wonderful patients as it is to the past and present staff of St Paul's Eye Unit."

 

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Southport Reporter (R) Bourder


  


 

 

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