Eye on the Horizon

In this episode, podcast host Peter Cackett (consultant ophthalmologist, NHS Lothian) and guest speaker Lord David Blunkett (politician) discuss Lord Blunkett’s experience of coming to terms with sight loss at an early age and going on to build a career in politics.Lord David Blunkett is a British politician who served as Member of Parliament for Sheffield Brightside for over 25 years. Lord Blunkett played a pivotal role in shaping the UK’s domestic policy in the early 2000s during his time as Home Secretary. Beyond politics, he has been a passionate advocate for accessibility and has worked to expand opportunities for people with disabilities.This podcast contains content that some listeners may find upsetting. For support with mental health issues, please visit the links below:Dedicated mental health support for all NHS doctors and dentists: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/dedicated-mental-health-support-for-all-nhs-doctors-and-dentistsSamaritans: https://www.samaritans.org/In this episode, Lord Blunkett reflects on the family circumstances that shaped his path and the challenges he overcame along the way.Packed with wisdom, humour and candid reflection, this episode offers inspiration and practical advice for anyone striving to make an impact, no matter the obstacles.This is a non-promotional podcast organised and fully funded by Bayer plc.October 2025 | PP-PF-OPHT-GB-1469 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, podcast host Peter Cackett (Consultant Ophthalmologist, NHS Lothian) and guest speaker Chris McCausland (comedian and actor) discuss Chris’s career as a comedian and his personal journey coming to terms with his retinitis pigmentosa diagnosis. ​​This episode delves into the challenges Chris encountered while building a successful career in comedy alongside progressive vision loss, the role of technology in supporting people with visual impairment, and his advice for both aspiring comedians and individuals adjusting to sight deterioration.​​Chris originally studied and qualified as a software engineer; however, as his vision deteriorated, he made the decision to leave the tech industry and pursue a career in stand-up comedy in 2003. Since then, the British comedian has become well known on the comedy circuit and a stalwart in television panel shows following his breakthrough performance on Live at the Apollo in 2018. More recently, he won the most recent series of BBC’s family favourite, Strictly Come Dancing, in December 2024, and he's on a roll because his waltz with Dianne Buswell to ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ won the most memorable moment in TV at the recent British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) TV awards ceremony. ​​This episode offers insight into the patient experience, exploring the daily challenges of living with retinitis pigmentosa and drawing inspiration from Chris’s unique personal and professional journey.​​This is a non-promotional podcast organised and fully funded by Bayer plc.​​July 2025 | PP-PF-OPHT-GB-1448​ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

American Ophthalmologist and Comedian, Will Flanary (AKA Dr Glaucomflecken) joins us to discuss his use of humour as a coping mechanism for challenges in his life and how he has managed to integrate medicine and comedy. Will delves into the importance of laughter as a therapeutic tool, providing an invaluable perspective on how personal challenges have changed his outlook on life over the years.This podcast contains content that some listeners may find upsetting. For support with mental health issues, please visit the links below:Dedicated mental health support for all NHS doctors and dentists: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/dedicated-mental-health-support-for-all-nhs-doctors-and-dentists Samaritans: https://www.samaritans.org/In this episode, Will and Peter Cackett discuss the current global medical environment and relevant implications for healthcare professionals and patients. Will also offers key advice for prospective medical students and details how he has been able to leverage his position as a social media influencer to create change within the medical sphere and engage and advocate across wide audiences.This is a non-promotional podcast organised and fully funded by Bayer plc.March 2025 | PP-EYL-GB-2798 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.