Send us your feedback Living with sight loss may entitle you to extra financial support to help with day-to-day costs, but do you know what you can claim? Our mini series Bitesize Benefits will cover a range of topics related to financial and workplace support for those living with macular disease. In this episode we are joined by Dominic Milne from RNIB to discuss pensions and pension credit. This episode explores the complexities of the application and what you're entitled to. For more informa...
May 07, 2025•27 min•Ep. 49
Send us your feedback Eye injections can feel daunting, but they don’t have to be. In this episode of the My Macular and Me podcast, orthoptist and advanced practitioner Catherine Williamson answers common questions and clears up misconceptions to help you feel more prepared, informed and reassured about treatment. For more information on injections and other treatments, visit our website . The Macular Society has been supporting people with macular conditions for over 30 years. The right inform...
Apr 23, 2025•30 min•Ep. 48
Send us your feedback What is epiretinal membrane? In this episode of the My Macular and Me podcast, we are joined by Dr. Teresa Sandinha, consultant ophthalmologist at the Royal Liverpool University Hospital and Geraldine Hoad, our head of research grants at the Macular Society, to explore this topic. If you've been diagnosed with an epiretinal membrane or you are curious of how it affects vision, this episode will provide clarity of what it is, why it develops, and what treatment options are a...
Apr 09, 2025•19 min•Ep. 47
Send us your feedback In this episode of the My Macular and Me podcast, we are joined by Hannah Keegan, programmes manager at the Macular Society, and Claire Ashe, service administrator and former dispensing optician. Join us to find out how to get the most from your optician appointments, what to expect, what to bring, and how to be as prepared as possible. For more information on eye care and eye health, please visit macularsociety.org . The Macular Society has been supporting people with macu...
Mar 20, 2025•26 min•Ep. 46
Send us your feedback In this special International Women's Day episode of the My Macular and Me podcast, we are joined by consultant ophthalmologist Christiana Dinah to discuss the role of women in ophthalmology and research. We explore the challenges women face in the field, why representation matters, and how we can inspire the next generation of female leaders in eye health. The Macular Society has been supporting people with macular conditions for over 30 years. The right information and su...
Mar 07, 2025•34 min•Ep. 45
Send us your feedback In this episode of the My Macular and Me podcast, we are joined by guests Chris and Dawn who share their journey with macular disease. They talk through their diagnosis and it's impact, as well as how their hobbies have helped them to find joy, adapt, and maintain mental well-being during difficult times. Links to share: Instagram: Dawn , Chris Facebook: Dawn , Chris Pathway Yoga YouTube Channel Blind Man With a Backpack Blog The Macular Society has been supporting people w...
Jan 16, 2025•46 min•Ep. 44
Send us your feedback For this episode of the My Macular and Me podcast, we are revisiting one of talks from Dr Matteo Rizzi, research fellow at UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, as he speaks on Stargardt disease and how it affects vision, as well as the future of gene therapy. Dr Matteo Rizzi joined the My Macular and Me podcast with Dr Omar Mahroo earlier this year to discuss photopsia and photophobia in patients with Stargardt disease. If you would like to find out more on this topic, you can l...
Dec 19, 2024•22 min
Send us your feedback New research has found that taking a daily vitamin and mineral supplement can slow the progression of late-stage dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD), otherwise known as geographic atrophy (GA). Dr Tiarnan Keenan from the National Eye Institute joins us to discuss these new findings in more detail and answer your questions. Previously, supplements, based on the AREDS2 formula, have only been recommended for those with the earlier stages of AMD. Listen to learn how thi...
Dec 05, 2024•47 min•Ep. 42
Send us your feedback Being registered as sight impaired can often make it easier to get practical help and it may qualify you for certain benefits. In this episode of the My Macular and Me podcast, we are joined by ophthalmologist Christiana Dinah, and Macular Society Working Age and Young People's Manager, Colin Daniels, as they discuss the ins and outs of registering as sight impaired. For more information on registration, please visit the Macular Society website . Or if you have any question...
Nov 21, 2024•21 min•Ep. 41
Send us your feedback Living with sight loss may entitle you to extra financial support to help with day-to-day costs, but do you know what you can claim? Our mini series Bitesize Benefits will cover a range of topics related to financial and workplace support for those living with macular disease. Join us as we look at the recent Autumn Budget announcement and explore what these updates could mean for those living with sight loss. For more information on benefits available to help those living ...
Nov 07, 2024•19 min•Ep. 40
Send us your feedback For this My Macular and Me podcast we are joined by Professor Linda Troeberg from the University of East Anglia as she shares updates on her Macular Society funded research project looking at Sorsby's fundus dystrophy. The Macular Society has been supporting people with macular conditions for over 30 years. The right information and support can help people overcome their worries and retain their independence. We provide free information and support to those with macular dis...
Oct 16, 2024•30 min•Ep. 39
Send us your feedback In this episode of the My Macular and Me podcast, we are joined by Hannah Keegan, programmes manager at the Macular Society, and Skills for Seeing volunteer Pat McGeough. Join us to find out how eccentric viewing can help make best use of your remaining vision and to learn other useful tips and tricks to help make those everyday tasks that little bit easier when living with sight loss. The Macular Society has been supporting people with macular conditions for over 30 years....
Oct 02, 2024•30 min•Ep. 38
Send us your feedback Discover how to keep your eyes healthy in this episode of the My Macular and Me podcast as we are joined by Yuan Gao, an experienced optometrist from the Imperial College Healthcare Trust, and Vicky Thompson, one of our regional managers at the Macular Society. Join us as we explore what we should be doing to protect our eyesight. The Macular Society has been supporting people with macular conditions for over 30 years. The right information and support can help people overc...
Sep 22, 2024•24 min•Ep. 37
Send us your feedback In this episode of Bitesize Benefits Emma and Colin are joined by Zsuzsi Szabo, Employment Manager at Support4Sight Essex, as they explore the world of employment for those living with sight loss. Listen as they discuss disclosing sight loss to an employer and the benefits of applying for an Access to Work grant. This is part of our Bitesize Benefits mini series where we look at a range of topics relating to financial and employment support for those living with macular dis...
Sep 04, 2024•49 min•Ep. 36
Send us your feedback In this episode of Bitesize Benefits Emma and Colin are joined by Zsuzsi Szabo, Employment Manager at Support4Sight Essex, as they explore the world of employment for those living with sight loss. Listen as we share our key tips job searching, volunteering, job applications and CV writing. This is part of our Bitesize Benefits mini series where we look at a range of topics relating to financial and employment support for those living with macular disease. For more informati...
Aug 14, 2024•42 min•Ep. 35
Send us your feedback In this episode of the My Macular and Me podcast we are joined by Professor Jacqueline van der Spuy from the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology. She discusses the development of treatments for Doyne honeycomb retinal dystrophy, an inherited juvenile macular dystrophy affecting sight from early adulthood. The Macular Society has been supporting people with macular conditions for over 30 years. The right information and support can help people overcome their worries and retain th...
Jul 31, 2024•35 min•Ep. 34
Send us your feedback In this episode of the My Macular and Me podcast, we are joined by Hannah Keegan, programmes manager at the Macular Society, and Connect by Tech volunteer Sheila Harris. Join us as we explore the world of smart devices and find out how technology can make life a little bit easier for those living with sight loss. The Macular Society has been supporting people with macular conditions for over 30 years. The right information and support can help people overcome their worries ...
Jul 17, 2024•32 min•Ep. 33
Send us your feedback In this episode of the My Macular and Me podcast, Elena Piotter, a PhD student at the University of Oxford, discusses her research project into a gene editing technique called CRISPR and how it could lead to a treatment for Stargardt disease. Her research is co-funded by the Macular Society and Retina UK. The Macular Society has been supporting people with macular conditions for over 30 years. The right information and support can help people overcome their worries and reta...
Jul 03, 2024•36 min•Ep. 32
Send us your feedback For this My Macular and Me podcast we are joined by Ruth Rhydderch, an ECLO at the University Hospital of Wales. She joined us to discuss her role has an ECLO and she shares her top pieces of advice. Eye clinic liaison officers (ECLOs) offer advice on how to lessen the impact your eye condition may have on your life. The Macular Society has been supporting people with macular conditions for over 30 years. The right information and support can help people overcome their worr...
Jun 19, 2024•39 min•Ep. 31
Send us your feedback For this My Macular and Me podcast, we welcome Professor Andrew Lotery from the University of Southampton. He explores the rare macular condition called X linked retinoschisis. The condition is one of a number of inherited retinal diseases the Southampton team is researching. Professor Lotery provides an update on research into X linked retinoschisis and what this could mean for other rare types of macular disease. The Macular Society has been supporting people with macular...
Jun 05, 2024•25 min•Ep. 30
Send us your feedback Dr Annegret Dahlmann-Noor, who is director of the children's service at Moorfields Eye Hospital, joins our My Macular and Me podcast to talk about myopic macular degeneration (MMD). As well as the condition itself, Dr Dahlmann-Noor will discuss its prevalence, as well as her latest research into the condition on how to slow myopia progression in childhood and adolescence. The Macular Society has been supporting people with macular conditions for over 30 years. The right inf...
May 15, 2024•53 min•Ep. 29
Send us your feedback Living with sight loss may entitle you to extra financial support to help with day-to-day costs, but do you know what you can claim? Our mini series Bitesize Benefits will cover a range of topics related to financial and workplace support for those living with macular disease. This episode is our final episode focused on Attendance Allowance. In this episode we discuss the application itself, as well as the assessment and outcome of your application. We also discuss what Ca...
May 01, 2024•28 min•Ep. 28
Send us your feedback Living with sight loss may entitle you to extra financial support to help with day-to-day costs, but do you know what you can claim? Our mini series Bitesize Benefits will cover a range of topics related to financial and workplace support for those living with macular disease. This episode is part one of two, focused on Attendance Allowance. In this episode we discuss what the benefit is and how to apply, diving into the application and how to answer the questions. For more...
Apr 17, 2024•43 min•Ep. 27
Send us your feedback For most, taking public transport is done without much thought or stress. But, sight loss can have a huge impact on the relative ease with which most people travel. For this My Macular and Me podcast we are joined by Pete Lock, national habilitation lead at Guide Dogs, who shares his own experiences of travelling across the UK on public transport. He will also discuss tips and strategies for stress-free journeys. The Macular Society has been supporting people with macular c...
Apr 03, 2024•45 min•Ep. 26
Send us your feedback Living with sight loss may entitle you to extra financial support to help with day-to-day costs, but do you know what you can claim? Our new mini series Bitesize Benefits will cover a range of topics related to financial and workplace support for those living with macular disease. Join us as we look at the recent Spring Budget announcement and explore what these updates could mean for those living with sight loss. For more information on benefits available to help those liv...
Mar 21, 2024•31 min•Ep. 25
Send us your feedback Researcher Roly Megaw, a clinical lecturer and honorary consultant ophthalmologist from the University of Edinburgh and West Lothian joins us for this episode of the podcast. Roly will be shedding light on the devastating impact of RPGR gene mutations, which can cause macular and cone rod dystrophies. Join us as he unveils discoveries from his joint Macular Society and Retina UK-funded research, aiming improve our understanding of these conditions and find potential treatme...
Mar 07, 2024•39 min•Ep. 24
Send us your feedback Join us for our final episode on Personal Independence Payment (PIP) in our Bitesize Benefits series. In this episode we explore the final stages of the application, unravelling the assessment process and possible outcomes. This episode is the final in three, focused on Personal Independence Payment (PIP). For more information on benefits available to help those living with macular disease and their families, please visit our website . The Macular Society has been supportin...
Feb 15, 2024•34 min•Ep. 23
Send us your feedback Join us for the second episode in our Bitesize Benefits series as we continue our exploration of Personal Independence Payment (PIP). We take a look at the application process and uncover valuable tips to help you with your claim. This episode is the second of three, focused on Personal Independence Payment (PIP). Join us as we explore what PIP actually is, who is entitled to it, and how you can apply. For more information on benefits available to help those living with mac...
Feb 01, 2024•38 min•Ep. 22
Send us your feedback Living with sight loss may entitle you to extra financial support to help with day-to-day costs, but do you know what you can claim? Our new mini series Bitesize Benefits will cover a range of topics related to financial and workplace support for those living with macular disease. This episode is the first of three, focused on Personal Independence Payment (PIP). Join us as we explore what PIP actually is, who is entitled to it, and how you can apply. For more information o...
Jan 18, 2024•24 min•Ep. 21
Send us your feedback Flashing lights in vision (photopsia) or discomfort due to bright light or glare (photophobia) is often experienced by patients with Stargardt. However, little is understood about what causes these symptoms, their prevalence or the impact they can have on people’s lives. Omar Mahroo, consultant ophthalmologist and professor of retinal neuroscience at University College London, and his colleague Dr Matteo Rizzi join this episode of the My Macular and Me podcast. The Macular ...
Jan 04, 2024•45 min•Ep. 20
