Joe Ayling: Standing room only

It was standing room only at the House of Commons last week where AMD Alliance International held a reception on how health services are coping with the leading cause of vision loss.

There was a chilly opening to affairs, as hosts at the Thames Pavilion venue at first tackled an over-active air conditioning system and a winter chill swept off the river. Before long heat blasted through the marquee and eye care professionals warmed to many of the presented ideas and solutions. Short, sharp talks were provided by representatives from parliament, eye health charities and the pharmaceuticals sector. As expected, regular eye tests were identified as central to the early detection of AMD. But patient perspectives also highlighted how important support and aftercare was following diagnosis.