Episodes

  • 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 disease.

    For more information on job hunting, employment and benefit entitlement, please visit our website.

    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 disease, along with their family and friends. If you or a family member need advice or support, please make sure to reach out. No one has to face macular disease alone. Please call us on 0300 3030 111.

    For more information from Support4Sight Essex, please visit their website.

  • 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 information on job hunting, employment and benefit entitlement, please visit our website.

    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 disease, along with their family and friends. If you or a family member need advice or support, please make sure to reach out. No one has to face macular disease alone. Please call us on 0300 3030 111.

    For more information from Support4Sight Essex, please visit their website.

  • Missing episodes?

    Click here to refresh the feed.

  • 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 their independence. We provide free information and support to those with macular disease, along with their family and friends. If you or a family member need advice or support, please make sure to reach out. No one has to face macular disease alone. Please call us on 0300 3030 111.

  • 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 and retain their independence. We provide free information and support to those with macular disease, along with their family and friends. If you or a family member need advice or support, please make sure to reach out. No one has to face macular disease alone. Please call us on 0300 3030 111.

  • 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 retain their independence. We provide free information and support to those with macular disease, along with their family and friends. If you or a family member need advice or support, please make sure to reach out. No one has to face macular disease alone. Please call us on 0300 3030 111.

  • 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 worries and retain their independence. We provide free information and support to those with macular disease, along with their family and friends. If you or a family member need advice or support, please make sure to reach out. No one has to face macular disease alone. Please call us on 0300 3030 111.

  • 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 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 disease, along with their family and friends. If you or a family member need advice or support, please make sure to reach out. No one has to face macular disease alone. Please call us on 0300 3030 111.

  • 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 information and support can help people overcome their worries and retain their independence. We provide free information and support to those with macular disease, along with their family and friends. If you or a family member need advice or support, please make sure to reach out. No one has to face macular disease alone. Please call us on 0300 3030 111.

  • 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 Carer's Allowance is, who can apply and how.

    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 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 disease, along with their family and friends. If you or a family member need advice or support, please make sure to reach out. No one has to face macular disease alone. Please call us on 0300 3030 111.

  • 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 information on benefits available to help those living with macular disease and their families, please visit our website.

    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 disease, along with their family and friends. If you or a family member need advice or support, please make sure to reach out. No one has to face macular disease alone. Please call us on 0300 3030 111.

  • 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 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 disease, along with their family and friends. If you or a family member need advice or support, please make sure to reach out. No one has to face macular disease alone. Please call us on 0300 3030 111.

  • 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 living with macular disease and their families, please visit our website.

    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 disease, along with their family and friends. If you or a family member need advice or support, please make sure to reach out. No one has to face macular disease alone. Please call us on 0300 3030 111.

  • 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 treatments.

    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 disease, along with their family and friends. If you or a family member need advice or support, please make sure to reach out. No one has to face macular disease alone. Please call us on 0300 3030 111.

  • 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 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 disease, along with their family and friends. If you or a family member need advice or support, please make sure to reach out. No one has to face macular disease alone. Please call us on 0300 3030 111.

  • 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 macular disease and their families, please visit our website.

    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 disease, along with their family and friends. If you or a family member need advice or support, please make sure to reach out. No one has to face macular disease alone. Please call us on 0300 3030 111.

  • 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 on benefits available to help those living with macular disease and their families, please visit our website.

    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 disease, along with their family and friends. If you or a family member need advice or support, please make sure to reach out. No one has to face macular disease alone. Please call us on 0300 3030 111.

  • 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 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 disease, along with their family and friends. If you or a family member need advice or support, please make sure to reach out. No one has to face macular disease alone. Please call us on 0300 3030 111.

  • Send us your feedback

    Dr Liam Sullivan, consultant ophthalmologist at Cambridge University Hospital, joins My Macular and Me to discuss lasers as treatment for patients with retinal conditions, such as diabetic retinopathy and retinal vein occlusion.

    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 disease, along with their family and friends. If you or a family member need advice or support, please make sure to reach out. No one has to face macular disease alone. Please call us on 0300 3030 111.

  • Send us your feedback

    Gavin Arno, senior scientist and researcher from the department of genetics at Moorfields Eye hospital joins us for this episode of the My Macular and Me podcast.

    Gavin joins us to discuss the latest advances in genomics for inherited retinal disease. Our understanding of genetics and how DNA works has grown considerably in the last decade. This understanding has transformed researchers’ ability to carry out genetic analysis on individuals and has aided in the detection of defects and mutations behind various dystrophies. This level of genetic analysis may help to identify risk of retinal disease in patients and their family members, as well as identifying potential treatment options. Gavin talks more about the developments in genomics and why it's so important to our understanding of inherited retinal disease.

    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 disease, along with their family and friends. If you or a family member need advice or support, please make sure to reach out. No one has to face macular disease alone. Please call us on 0300 3030 111.

  • Send us your feedback

    For this episode of the My Macular and Me podcast, we are joined Zsuzsi Szabo, an employment manager from Support4Sight in Essex, and Gary Hawkins from Cadent Gas, along with Lee Mercer, who is living with sight loss and is sharing his experience with employment.

    They discuss the barriers that employers encounter when thinking about hiring someone with sight loss, and whether these barriers are real or perceived. Listen to find out more about how partially sighted job seekers can overcome these barriers.

    Finding a job can be a challenge at the best of times, but it can be so much harder to find work when you have a sight condition. If you or a family member need advice or support in finding work, or for anything else, please make sure to reach out. Please call us on 0300 3030 111 or email [email protected]

    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 disease, along with their family and friends.