Macular disease suffers can join free training courses at Barnstaple centre.

To send a link to this page to a friend, simply enter their email address below.

The message will include the name and email address you gave us when you signed up.

Email address

  Send link

To send a link to this page to a friend, you must be logged in.

THE See Hear Centre in Barnstaple is offering people affected by macular disease the chance to learn skills that can help maintain their independence.

The centre in Alexandra Road has teamed up with The Macular Disease Society charity to offer free tuition in specialist techniques that help people to make better use of their remaining peripheral vision.

The disease affects the central vision and is the biggest cause of sight loss in the UK. It can take the form of age-related macular degeneration or a juvenile macular dystrophy.

Those affected can find tasks such as cooking, walking, reading, watching television or even recognising faces extremely difficult.

The practical skills are taught on a one to one basis and known as Eccentric Viewing (EV) and Steady Eye Strategy (SE).

“It feels great to be able to help others and hopefully make a difference to their lives,” said Janette Marshall at the See Hear Centre.

For more information on learning the techniques, call the Macular Disease Society’s helpline on 0845 241 2041 or the See Hear Centre on 01271 373236.