WHEN Michael Saunders developed a sight-threatening eye condition in 2007, it ushered in years of long waits for appointments for hospital treatment.

But the 74-year-old says a unique treatment centre in Newport, which opened a year ago, has transformed the treatment process.

And he is marking the centre's first birthday - and National Eye Health Week - by speaking of how that process has changed for the better.

Mr Saunders featured in the Argus in summer 2007 when he was fighting, along with other people across the UK, for the right to wet AMD treatment with the drug Lucentis. Treatment regulator NICE (the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) had ruled that its use on the NHS be limited.

He had been diagnosed with wet age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD), a leading cause of vision loss that eventually forced him to give up his 40-year career as a lorry driver.

Wet AMD affects the macula at the back of the eye and, if left untreated, can cause vision to deteriorate within days.

These days, Mr Saunders visits the Austin Friars Eye Treatment Centre in Newport every four weeks for treatment.

The centre is a collaboration between Aneurin Bevan University Health Board and Specsavers, the first in the UK, where a high street optician provides initial screening and referrals for people with wet AMD symptoms, and NHS staff treat them at the same location.

Ten years ago however, the situation was somewhat different for patients.

"When I was first diagnosed, treatment for AMD wasn’t available on the NHS in Wales," said Mr Saunders.

"I had to wait six months before I had treatment, which is a long time, as vision can deteriorate within days in some cases.

"It was like I was hit in the chest when I was told I couldn’t drive anymore. It was a huge part of my life. I’d driven throughout the UK, Europe and America, so to have this taken away has been really tough.

"I’d noticed my sight deteriorate over a couple of weeks and one day it was as if my vision was clouded by thick fog."

Since opening last September the Austin Friars centre, based at the Specsavers store, has reduced waiting times for assessment, diagnosis and treatment for people with wet AMD.

"For years I was treated at hospital, which would often mean long waiting times, but since the eye centre has opened it has been fantastic," said Mr Saunders.

"All the experts are under one roof, it’s a convenient location, and there are no long delays around appointment times.

"It’s taken away the stress from having the treatment every month."

Mr Saunders joined Jason Williams, director of Specsavers Newport, in urging people to seek help quickly if they develop vision problems.

"The speed that someone receives treatment for wet AMD is absolutely crucial," said Mr Williams.

"With more collaborations between primary and secondary healthcare providers, it will give patients faster access to assessment and treatment.

"Regular sight tests are essential to monitor a person’s eye health, as a simple test can be the first step in prevention of sight loss. If anyone experiences changes to their vision, like Michael, they must visit their optician immediately."