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