Dunnet woman talks about eye surgery terror and how she was helped
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A Caithness woman received valuable support when facing surgery for an eye condition which left her without vision for several weeks.
Diana Money from Dunnet, has already had a diagnosis of normal tension glaucoma for 10 years which affects the upper part of her left eye and the inside of her right eye. But more recently, she was also diagnosed with a macular hole, which can cause further loss of vision but can be treated with a surgery known as a vitrectomy.
“I was terrified of having surgery,” Diana says, “I hadn’t been expecting to lose sight completely in that eye and it was quite a shock.”
The surgery can leave an individual without sight in the affected eye for several weeks as they recover. This can be a difficult time, practically and emotionally, and particularly for those with existing sight conditions like Diana’s glaucoma.
However, leading sight loss charity, Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) Scotland, reached out to Diana through its Eye Care Liaison Officer (ECLO). This service is managed in hospitals across the country by RNIB and other providers and offers emotional reassurance along with practical advice and support to help people with sight loss, by maximising their confidence and everyday independence.
Now a few weeks since surgery, Diana is beginning to notice an improvement in her affected eye. While her glaucoma can’t be healed, the impact of the macular hole surgery will result in improved vision.
“After my surgery, I was so thankful I could go to Anita and Roslyn [RNIB’s ECLOs]. When my glaucoma was diagnosed a few years ago there was no service like this, but it is so vital.
“I have come to understand how difficult loss of any sight is, both physically and emotionally and to have someone to talk to independently of family and friends is so valuable.”
Around 183,000 people are currently living with sight loss in Scotland. Anyone facing sight loss, or needing advice and support at any stage of their diagnosis, can be referred to the ECLO service via their local eye clinic.
Diana encourages others to get help: “It is so important to have someone that you can turn to. Even if you don’t think you’ll have any issues, it’s still worth talking to someone because you might not realise the help you can get. I would encourage anyone facing sight loss to speak to their ECLO.”
Anita Johnson, one of RNIB’s ECLOs, adds: “As well as listening to and counselling people about their worries and concerns, we can tell them more about their eye condition, explain the range of aids and technology available to help them, what their employment rights are, and what financial support they might qualify for.
"Without this support, some patients can experience depression, need help from health and social services for longer, and possibly even further medical intervention. With the ECLO service, they know they're not alone."
For more info all the RNIB Helpline on 0303 123 9999 or visit www.rnib.org.uk
Every six minutes, someone in the UK begins to lose their sight. RNIB says it takes a stand against "exclusion, inequality and isolation" to create a world without barriers where people with sight loss can lead full lives.
