Birdshot Uveitis Society

The Eye Bag

In case you haven’t heard of it we’d like to tell you about  “The EyeBag” ,  the re-useable warm eye & eyelid compress designed by Yorkshire Consultant Ophthalmologist and Uveitis Specialist, Mr Teifi James.

Health professionals frequently advise daily warm compresses for lots of common eye problems – Dry Eye, Blepharitis, Styes and Cysts. Hot wet flannels are ineffective and compliance is poor. The EyeBag is designed to treat these conditions. The EyeBag is a simple re-usable black and silver silk hot-compress. It is designed to be heated in a microwave for 20-30 seconds just before use and can be re-heated around 200 times. It is usually used twice a day for the first fortnight and several times a week thereafter. Stunning symptomatic improvement means happier patients with less frequent hospital visits.

You can find an EyeBag stockist near you or order online at http://www.eyebagcompany.com/

This is such a simple and effective bit of kit for many people with eye problems that come with uveitis.  Blepharitis and dry eye, for example, are possible complications for people with birdshot due to a compromised immune systems.

We’re delighted to tell you about this particular product because it is effective and easy to use.  The Eye Bag company has generously sponsored  Uveitis Information Group’s work, which includes Birdshot Uveitis Society.

Thank you so much.

Annie and Rea

Info Sound Despatch

We have recently received news from Vision 2020 (UK)  about a free monthly audio information service from the UK registered charity Infosound, in association with British Wirelessfor the Blind Fund.  We understand that they produce this free, monthly audio compilation of information that could be of particular interest to blind and partially-sighted people. Called the Infosound Despatch and usually lasting for about an hour, the monthly selection of audio articles aims to cover a wide variety of different topics about living with sight loss,  useful products, leisure, holidays, mobility, housing, employment, money, consumer issues and support services.  It’s totally free and delivered on standard audio CD to listeners’ homes every month and it does not have to be returned.  The charity’s other services are only available on their web site www.infosound.org.uk, so the new monthly “Despatch” is specifically for vision-impaired people who do not have access to the Internet.

Anyone interested is asked to phone  084 55 55 55 28 and leave their name, address and telephone number or to email audio@infosound.org.uk.

The right lighting

For  people with sight loss, good lighting and design reduces risks and increases safety, independence and quality of life.  The Macular Disease Society produce a useful leaflet about this called  Lighting Advice.

Lighting and design at home

Making the best use of lighting is important for everyone, but even more so if you have poor vision. Good lighting in the home is essential, and yet it is often overlooked. › Continue reading

Filters and Tints to stop glare

Optima Low vision Services  www.optimalowvision.co.uk

BUS has linked up with Optima, an organisation that produces low vision aids and equipment.  We think they may provide some useful equipment for people with Birdshot. › Continue reading

Ability Net

If you struggle with your computer because of your visual problems I definitely recommend you visit Ability Net  and follow the links about My computer My way. › Continue reading

Cookery Books

I attended a patient conference for younger people with macular disease today and came away with two great cook books that I want to tell you about.  I am sure anyone interested in self-help and healthy eating will enjoy them. › Continue reading

Steroid induced hump

Here is a question that a new member Vicky asked us to pose to see if anyone has any useful advice for her.  This is what she says:-

“Do any of you suffer from a hump?

Is there anything I can do to help with this?

To anyone else I guess this would sound ridiculous – but I’m hoping you know what I mean.

I find it quite distressing that my face has changed shape and that I now have a hump on the back of my neck, I understand that this is a side effect of the steroid usage but I was wondering if there were any members who have the same thing and have any tips for helping with this?”

Both Rea and I see chiropractors in our efforts to stay straight, improve our posture and reduce aches and pains that these drugs seem to inflict upon us, but we’d be interested to know if members know of other things that can help alleviate this particular problem.

Thanks

Birdshot and Complementary Therapies

When faced with the news that you have been diagnosed with not only a rare eye disease but one where the prognosis is not good for the future, it is easy to see how you can feel as if your world has been turned upside down.   In some ways it can be looked upon as losing control of what is going on in it.

After being given details of the various medications (and their side effects) which may or may not work, it is almost certain that your emotions and thoughts are going to change – positive one minute and negative the next.  This in turn will have an affect on the physical body especially if one begins to feel helpless in this situation. › Continue reading

Prescription Pre-payment

If you have been recently diagnosed with Birdshot you may not realise immediately that you should apply for a  pre-payment certificate for your prescriptions.  It will save you money in the long run.   The current cost is £104.00 for a 12-month PPC.  You don’t have to pay for it in one go,  I pay a monthly £8.70 for mine, by direct debit.

If prescription charges go up, you are covered for the rest of the year so you will not be affected immediately by price increases.

This link takes you to the NHS website to the page which has all the information about how to obtain the card.

Annie

Tags: Prescription