Despite his age, Nicholas remains a dynamic and active international consultant based in Sydney. His life is characterized by constant activity, and his eyesight is central to everything that makes life worth living: reading, traveling, working, and staying connected with the people around him. All of this was at stake suddenly when his vision in his left eye became blurry, while working in Vietnam. He hoped it would go away. But it didn't.

Nicholas was diagnosed with wet age-related macular degeneration six years ago. He says what frightened him most was the thought of losing his central vision completely. 
 

But he has hope: Nicholas receives injections in his left eye. For four years, he received them monthly, but for the past two years, he has been treated once every three months. To him, this feels like "a breath of fresh air" because it gives him more freedom to travel, spend time with his wife, daughter, and grandchildren, and even consider returning to consulting work. 
 

Today Nicholas still drives in daylight with glasses, reads with reading glasses, watches TV from up close, swims several times a week and enjoys visiting his son living in the neighborhood - it is this independence that is of central importance to his quality of life. 
 

His message to others is clear: get checked early for macular degeneration, start treatment early and stick to the treatment schedule. Nicholas’ key hope is clearly expressed when he says, moved: "I want to keep my vision until the day I die."