(PreserveMacForte.com) A UK man in his seventies has lost sight in one of his eyes after medical professionals failed on numerous occasions to properly diagnosis his age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in a timely manner, reported The Daily Mail on March 30.
According to the article, 71-year-old John Morgan from Ormskirk, England, went to see a GP, an optician and numerous different hospitals before he finally received treatment for the wet form of AMD.
According to the article, the eye ailment is the most common type of seeing impairment in the United Kingdom, adversely impacting approximately half a million persons. AMD also has a dry form, which is not as serious as is the wet form. With the latter, abnormal blood vessels form behind the eye and, subsequently, leak blood and other fluid that ends up damaging the eye. Only some of those who are diagnosed with dry AMD go on to get wet AMD.
While Morgan’s condition was eventually diagnosed, the diagnosis came too late since the wet macular degeneration had progressed to the extent that no treatment could be administered to correct the problem. As a result, he now has irreversible vision loss in his right eye.
According to the article, Morgan’s problems started when he began having eyesight issues 24 months back and consequently made an appointment to see opticians. He was told upon going for his appointment that he likely had a case of astigmatism, a common eye condition. Months after this initial diagnosis, he was of the opinion that his eye problems had actually gotten worse, so he booked an appointment to be checked over by his GP. His GP ended up referring Morgan to Ormskirk Hospital. There was, however, a three-week wait until his appointment.
Morgan explained in the article that, given his symptoms, his GP sent him to Ormskirk Hospital to have drops put in his eye and dye put in his vein. He said he was soon thereafter given a “vague” AMD diagnosis, though no treatment was prescribed. He was, instead, sent to Southport Hospital due to the fact that that institution possessed superior equipment.