The Queensland Eye Institute (QEI) celebrated Max Day on 31 May. Max Day launched a new campaign to raise funds to help purchase an additional electroretinogram machine for QEI.
The machine offers state of the art diagnostic tools which allow ophthalmologists to see conditions which other tests do not. “The eye is a very complex organ. Only visual electrophysiological tests allow us to clearly delineate which layers of the back of the eye aren’t functional and hence provide a definite diagnosis,” says Professor Radford, Executive Director and CEO of QEI.
QEI currently receives referrals for patients from across the country. It takes approximately 3.5 hours for each patient to be tested, only two patients can be seen each day. Fifteen-month old Max Thomson is a patient who has benefitted from the electrodiagnostic unit at QIE. Unlike other babies, Max didn’t smile. He was not curious about the world around him. “At Max’s 12-week check-up I told my GP what I had noticed. Two days later we saw a paediatrician. Two hours after that and we were being seen by an ophthalmologist,” Alanna says.
After electroretinogram testing, Max was diagnosed with suspected Lebers Congenital Amaruosis (LCA). Affecting only about two in every 100,000 babies. Electroretinogram is an important means to diagnose LCA and it’s completely non-invasive. “Having a diagnosis was a huge relief,” Alanna said.
LCA diagnosis also allowed for early intervention to treat Max’s condition and improve his quality of life. “Max has had glasses since he was 12 weeks old. We won’t know if he has any vision at all until he is old enough to tell us. But, if he does have even the slightest amount, we want him to be able to see as much as he can before his vision totally deteriorates,” Alanna said.
Electroretinograms can be used to diagnose many other eye conditions which other tests cannot. Early intervention strategies can be life-changing and sight-saving. “Another electroretinogram for Queensland means we halve the waiting time and potentially double the number of people’s sight that we save,” Professor Radford said.
Readers also enjoyed our story about Monty Compost Co Launch
