Macular Degenerate

From Scotland to Silicon Valley; today's guest is a force of nature. Born in India, shaped in Dundee and now building the future in California, Sriram Ganesh has taken a lifelong obsession with computers, learning tech and game design and turned it into a mission to help millions. In his thirties, sight loss began to change everything. For most people, that would be a full stop. For Sriram, it sparked a drive to innovate, to rethink accessibility, and to push technology further for people losing their vision later in life. And the future he's building? It's not years away. It's almost here. His team is racing to bring their breakthrough tool, Lumin, to the wold. In this episode, you'll hear the story behind it, along with a live demo.

Chris chats to fellow 'degenerate' Phil Slater, speaking from his home in the Cayman Islands. Before retirement, Phil spent years working as a community mental health nurse across the British territory. Life has recently thrown a few challenges his way. Alongside a diagnosis of wet AMD, he's also come through cataract surgery. In this light‑hearted conversation, Chris and Phil show that even the scariest parts of sight-loss can become manageable. The idea of an injection into the eye feels terrifying at first, but with time you adapt, you process, and you even find moments to laugh about it! Their conversation is honest, reassuring, and full of the kind of hope you only get from people who truly understand what you're facing!

Chris meets Dr Jeremy McMeen, an American optometrist with more than 30 years of clinical experience, working across Nebraska and Kansas. He's attracting attention and controversy for proposing a link between the origins of macular degeneration, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and MS. His theory places the starting point not in the brain or the retina, but in the mouth. Could this be a breakthrough that changes the outlook for people living with macular conditions? Might the implications reach far beyond eye health? As debate grows within the medical community, we explore the evidence Dr McMeen has compiled and the questions it raises.  

In this episode of Macular Degenerate, Chris Baxter is joined by Reuben Cowley - someone he first met at the BBC, long before Macular Degeneration became part of his life. Their stories have since converged again. What's the connection? You'll find out in Episode 11.

Welcome to the first update of 2026. After a quiet spell, this brief episode lands before January is gone for good, exploring job hunting and the surprising progress you can make in a short space of time.

In Episode 9, Chris Baxter finds himself locked in a cupboard at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, with a man whose voice has earned him a place in the Guinness Book of World Records for its astonishing volume! Alan Myatt is a town crier extraoadinaire! You may have heard him ringing out across the City of Gloucester or even the City of London. Partially sighted since birth, Alan lives life at full volume - both literally and figuratively.

When your retina throws a curveball across the pond! In this heartfelt episode, Chris chats with his 88-year-old uncle, Paddy Rice, who now lives in Florida. The conversation uncovers a surprising genetic link: both Chris and Paddy share the same form of macular degeneration in the same eye! They also swap stories about a peculiar post-injection side effect they've both experienced: the strange sensation of floating billiard balls in their vision! Plus, there's a tantalising teaser for Episode 9. It's one you won't want to miss.

In this latest episode, Chris meets a super-positive woman called Jackie Terry. "Age Related" suggests that you have to be more mature to be diagnosed with the condition. Jackie's was confirmed in her mid-thirties! However, she had an incling it might happen. Find out why. Also, Jackie has some tips on how to deal with injections! Lots of laughs and lots hope.

Former Secretary-General of the World Federation of Chiropractic, Richard Brown in conversation with Chris Baxter. Remember the shower scene in the classic film Psycho? This episode features an equally horrific shower encounter with eye-watering consequences! Chiropractor Richard Brown joins Chris Baxter to talk about his plethora of eye troubles with great humour and humility. Richard's faced a number of challenges: Glaucoma, Keratoconus and Acanthamoeba Keratitis. So many topics in one episode! More about Richard Brown More about Chris Baxter

Chris Baxter is joined by Amanda Read who began to lose her sight over 20 years ago due to a rare genetic condition called Stargardt Disease. Amanda's dedicated most of her working life (so far!) to helping others with sight loss conditions in her role as regional manager for The Macular Society. Some of the topics covered include: Living with sight loss Macular conditions Guidedog retirement Volunteering Keeping a sense of humour! Macular Society Helpline: 0300 3030 111 Please keep sending your emails to [email protected] If you can, leave a review and spread the word.

It's time for the third injection of the 'loading dose.' Chris Baxter contemplates going back to hospital for another eye jab and gets an update on his condition. Also, an interesting observation from a former BBC colleague, Andrew Edwards, arrives by email. If you'd like to contribute or comment - email [email protected] and please rate and subscribe! It'll keep Chris and his roaming reporter (Chris) motivated for future episodes!

Chris Baxter's in search of more stories about eyes! In episode 3, he talks to broadcaster, writer and former BBC colleague, Mark Cummings. Mark was looking forward to an exciting new career when he left the corporation - but then a dark cloud appeared on the horizon. Or was it in the corner of his eye? A celebration of the amazing surgeons who restore our vision. More about Mark Cummings More about Chris Baxter

Chris Baxter is getting used to the idea of regular ocular injections. He's so brave - he takes his teenage son along for the ride (to hold his hand). Wimp! Is the eyesight improving after the course of treatments so far?  Also, Chris receives an email from a listener to his former BBC show from 'across the pond.' If you'd like to send a message - [email protected]

Former BBC man Chris Baxter comes to terms with his diagnosis of AMD. Why is everything looking wavy, is that a needle I see before me? Join Chris on a journey of discovery. Please drop me a line at [email protected]