A personal thank you from the frontline of Covid-19

When sight loss researchers like Dr Zak Jarrar were saving the lives of Covid-19 patients in intensive care, supporters like you helped to protect their sight-saving research.

“During the first lockdown, I was redeployed from the eye clinic to the intensive care unit to help look after patients with Covid-19. It was an extremely challenging time, looking after critically unwell patients.

"I was worried about how redeployment would affect my research going forward. Despite the pandemic and its financial pressures, Fight for Sight has been extremely understanding and supportive.

"Thankfully, I am now able to continue my work from home and my research is getting back on track.

"Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of sight loss in people over 50 in the UK. I’m exploring the role of the gut microbiome in this condition – that’s all the organisms, bacteria, viruses and fungi that live inside us. This could explain one cause of AMD. One day, I hope we can tailor a person’s microbiome to prevent them developing AMD.

"I’d personally like to say huge thank you to all the Fight for Sight supporters who have and continue to donate so generously. Without your support, we simply couldn’t fight sight loss. ”

About AMD

Age-related macular degeneration is the most common cause of severe sight loss in older adults. There are over 600,000 people in the UK with sight loss caused by the two types of macular degeneration and this number will more than double by 2050.

There are currently no treatments for dry macular degeneration which accounts for ninety percent of cases. While there are some treatments by injection for wet macular degeneration this condition continues to have a huge impact on people’s sight.