Sir, - As one of the estimated 80,000 people in Ireland suffering from the eye condition known as macular degeneration, may I add a few words to the article by Kathryn Holmquist in your edition of October 8th?
As a former chairman of a support group for people suffering from this condition, I learned that optometrists/opthamologists were not apparently explaining clearly to sufferers the proper nature of their condition and what they might usefully do to help themselves combat it.
They seemed merely to be telling them they had an incurable eye condition which would not result in complete blindness but would cause them difficulties in areas reading and performing fine work and that this was really caused by advancing years.
It was not always explained to them that they could be registered as blind with the National Council of the Blind, Whitworth Road, Dublin 9 and that this would entitle them to be issued with bus passes, one of which allows them to travel at any hour of the day and another which entitles them to have a companion travel with them free of charge.
Registration as blind would also entitle them to a substantial tax-free credit. They should also be aware that there is a support group called MIST, which meets once a month at various locations in the Republic where they can meet fellow-sufferers. Details of this too can be obtained from the National Council of the Blind. - Yours, etc.,
Joseph P. Murray, Larkfield Park, Dublin 6W.