‘Nit-picking’ strips war vet of $40 pills to save his sight
World War II veteran Jack Monaghan, who can barely see, has been told the government will stop funding a treatment he says is saving his remaining sight.
The Paraparaumu 93-year-old, who served as a Royal Navy stoker in the Atlantic, has been told by specialists that his loss of sight was at least partly due to the sea glare he experienced during Wolrd War II.
‘‘I have got half of my left eye left,’’ he said. ‘‘The nutrients I get have been a big help in holding what I have got.’’
He has been taking Clinicians VisionCare – as recommended by his ophthalmologist – for the past five years.
But now he has been told that that Veterans’ Affairs will stop funding non-approved remedies from the end of the year, including VisionCare.
Monaghan said he could afford the $39.50 cost of a bottle of the pills, but his wife, Maureen, said: ‘‘It’s the nit-picking for such a tiny, tiny amount . . . it’s the principle. They seem to be cutting down on everything.’’
A Veterans’ Affairs spokeswoman said that, under the Veterans’ Support Act, it could pay for, or contribute towards, treatment costs for veterans’ service-related injuries and illnesses.
But that covered only prescribed pharmaceuticals. Products such as Clinicians VisionCare were a supplement, and so were not covered.
At present, discretionary funding could be allocated case by case, and could be used for supplements.
But from December 7 this year, discretionary funding would not be available.
According to Macular Degeneration New Zealand, people suffering from the eye disease may find it appropriate to take supplements containing ingredients such as zinc, lutein, and zeaxanthin. VisionCare contains these ingredients.
Veterans’ Affairs said it was still looking at what could be funded under the changes.
‘‘In addition to the treatment and rehabilitation support, veterans who suffer impairment as a result of a service-related injury or illness are eligible for tax-free pensions of up to $383.78 per week.
‘‘This can be used by veterans to meet needs not specifically funded through treatment and rehabilitation support.’’
In contrast to their treatment by Veterans’ Affairs, the Monaghans were full of praise for the charity and partly taxpayerfunded Blind Foundation, which they said stayed in regular contact.
The foundation had made it possible for Jack to read again, thanks to a book-magnifying machine, showed him how to make a coffee, and phone calls on a special phone with large buttons.
‘‘They are so good, and the government is so mean.’’
The office of Veterans’ Affairs Minister Craig Foss refused to discuss the case.