"Appreciation of the treatment - concern about..."

I was first diagnosed with wet and dry macular approximately 3 years ago.

When I read up on the information available I was totally in shock as I never dreamed that I would ever have problems with my eyesight. When the specialists told me that a treatment was available I felt giddy with relieve and even the thought of having an injection in my right eye didn’t affect that feeling.

For just over 2 years the treatment worked – then just before Christmas 2014 I had to wait for my appointment.

I could tell that my eye needed another injection and although concerned I just waited. When I eventually received an appointment and saw the consultant I was prescribed to have 2 injections.

Although theses stopped the fluid it was the first time since receiving this treatment that the sight in my right eye didn’t improve.

I wasn’t unduly worried as I hoped further injections would rectify this and to minor extent they have. However, this experience of waiting for appointments unnerved me.

In May this year I knew that my left eye had become affected and felt my best option would be to contact the hospital with a sense that time is of the essence in relation to this kind of treatment. The nurse I spoke to was lovely and so understanding, and organised an appointment for me to be seen within 2 days and when I saw the consultant they suggested that I have an injection that day with an appointment for a 2nd injection the following month.

The treatment has been so successful and I am so grateful for the quick response of the nurse and the consultant – thank you!

I was due to be seen early July to check both my eyes, unfortunately,

I had to wait and wait for my appointment and instead of 4 weeks it went into 6 weeks with the same response from the receptionist that there was no capacity to fit me in.

I could tell the receptionist was getting frustrated because they told me they were telling the same thing to numerous patients.

I did understand, but I also became quite concerned and plucked up the courage to call the nurse who listened to my concerns and assured me I would be seen within 2 days. When I saw the consultant they were absolutely fantastic and organised for me to have an injection that same day. Thankfully, the fluid was stopped but even after the 2nd injection the sight in my right eye has remained the same.

Words cannot express how impressed I am with the dedication of all the staff and how grateful I am for the service Bolton Eye Hospital has offered me.

The only down side is the appointments.

I accept this is no one’s fault but the treatment I receive is expensive and I do feel for it to work to the full capacity time is of the essence.

I truly hope that somehow more funding is found in order to deal with the every growing number of patients needing many types of special eye care that Bolton Eye Hospital offer to a very high standard.

Jackie