The Probus Club of Seaford

At our most recent meeting we had a presentation by Sam Amphlett, of the Macular Society. Sam explained that she was the Regional Fundraiser for the South East.

The macular is part of the retina, at the back of the eye, which has the particular function of giving fine detail, colour and clear vision. If damaged, it may lead to the appearance of grey patches within the field of vision, or distortions, particularly in a series of parallel lines. The macular affects the central portion of the vision. The macular has a very high concentration of the cells which detect light. Sam explained that there are around 300 new diagnoses each day. By the age of 60, one in 200 people will display the disease, rising to one in five by the age of 90. For this reason, reference is often made to age-related macular disease (AMD).

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There are two types of macular disease: the ‘wet’ and the ‘dry’. Progress of the wet variety can be slowed by injections; the dry variety deteriorates more slowly, but there is no treatment. To date there is no cure for the disease, which may be inherited, although symptoms may not appear for many years. There may be some evidence that diet can slow the disease, particularly when high in fruit and vegetables.

The aim of the Macular Society is to raise funds to help find a cure. There is no Government funding available, and all their income is either from personal donations, or through charities such as the lottery. The Charity also has local support groups, providing counselling, befriending buddies and visual aid volunteers, who can advise on physical adaptations in the home. The charity has so far provided £5.1 million of funding into research to find a cure, or at least a means of slowing the progress of the disease.

Further information from macularsociety.org, or from 0300 3030 111.

Members’ hand-to-eye coordination, (or, in the case of your author, his lack of) were put to the test in our annual Skittles match, at the Crouch Bowling club in Seaford. To make sure that the better players were ‘nobbled’, the event began with an excellent fish and chip lunch from a nearby emporium. It was a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon, at the end of which one team won, and the other seven teams didn’t.

The Probus Club of Seaford is aimed at retired or semi-retired gentlemen living in Seaford and surrounding areas. We meet on the second Tuesday of each month, at 12.15, for a two-course meal followed by a speaker. For further details please contact the Secretary, Gavin, on (01323) 893760.

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