"Getting appointments"

I was diagnosed with Macular Degeneration last year by my optician and referred to the Macular Clinic at the Mater. I had my first appointment, followed by first injection in my right eye in September 23.  Wavy lines disappeared and eyesight improved within a week.

After this I got further injections in October and November and was told I then would get a scan in 6 weeks' time, following which a plan would be drawn up for future treatment needed.

The scan was done in January 2024 and the next injection a week later (the new plan was for 8-weekly injections). In the week before my 5th injection was due my sight deteriorated and the wavy lines came back and it was 2 weeks post 5th injection before sight improved again.

I was really worried. 6 weeks after this 5th injection, my right eyesight became blurred again - distance and close up vision.  I contacted the Macular Clinic and miraculously was able to get an appointment for an earlier injection.

6 weeks after, my eyesight deteriorated again so I rang the Macular Clinic to be told there were no appointments and my next was for live imaging in June but there were none for then or ahead as they were running behind and told me to go to my optician. I did, and got an OCT scan which showed marked deterioration compared to scan in January.

Now I was more worried and anxious than ever as to the damage that may happen between getting the scan, for which there seemed no hope of an appointment, and then waiting for an injection. There is no such thing as being given your next appointment, you just have to ring for a cancellation each time when your injection is due or earlier if there is a change in vision. 

My optician sent the scan done to the Mater - no doctor available to look at it on the Friday and when I rang again on the Monday I was told not to ring again until my 8 weeks was up but there was no appointments available anyway. I rang and was told there was a letter in post for review/scan. 

I would add that the staff who do the scans and injections are always very professional and caring, but getting the appointments is traumatic and I dread ringing each time to hit a brick wall, especially when it is known that delayed treatment can lead to loss of central vision that cannot be reversed.