Bequest Stories

Sharing the Vision

Two years ago Peter Sierakowski was diagnosed with age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a genetic condition and the leading cause of irreversible vision loss in Australia.

The disease affects the central area of the retina called the macula, a small area at the back of the eye responsible for fine vision and reading. There are two common forms of AMD known as wet and dry AMD.  Wet AMD is the more serious of the two and is often characterised by rapid vision loss.

Peter discovered just how sudden its onset could be one morning in 2006.

 ‘I always thought vision loss was a gradual process. In my case, I woke up to discover that I could no longer see out of my right eye. I was terrified’ he said.

On the advice of a friend Peter consulted Associate Professor Robyn Guymer, head of the Macular Research Unit at the Centre for Eye Research Australia (CERA), and a practising ophthalmologist at the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital.

As one of three sets of twins in a family of twelve children, none of whom show signs of developing AMD, Peter was an ideal candidate for the AMD Inheritance Study, a joint undertaking by our Macular Research Unit and  Ocular Genetics Unit. This ongoing study aims to identify the genes associated with AMD.

Peter was also a willing participant in the Centre’s SUSTAIN study, a drug sponsored trial to investigate the effectiveness of the drug Lucentis. The trial found that the drug slowed, and in some cases stopped, vision loss in patients with wet AMD.

For Peter, the results of the trial have been very pleasing “I’m happy to report that my vision remains stable and I haven’t needed an injection for over seven months now. For me, this is a fantastic result”.

“When I was diagnosed, I was most concerned about the effect AMD would have on my lifestyle. I’ve always been extremely active. Like most people, I rely heavily on my eyes. As an engineer I’m interested in pulling things apart to see how they work. I’m also an avid reader”.

As a result of the SUSTAIN study, Lucentis is now widely available to patients and subsequent trials are being carried out to investigate further uses of the drug.

Peter says he will always be indebted to the research staff at CERA. It was this gratitude and his passion for research that led him to support the Eye Research Australia Foundation. He is now a regular donor and intends to leave a bequest to the Foundation in his will.

“I’ve always been a proactive person so when I was diagnosed, I made it my mission to learn as much as I could about AMD and contribute in any way I could to AMD research” he says.

“I have discussed my decision with my family and I have their full support. They understand my plight with AMD and my motivation to make a difference in this area”.

An Enduring Investment

Peter appreciates the value of leaving a bequest to eye research. He has travelled to remote parts of the world in his 30 year association with an adventure-tour operator and says that on occasion ‘I have come across people with eye diseases and little if any support.’

“This has added to my awareness of the need for research to reduce the incidence of eye disease for people in Australia and around the world,” Peter says.

“Whilst I have every intention of staying around for quite some time yet, and despite some of the research advances made in eye research, I am certain that the need for funding in this important area will remain strong for many years to come,” he says.