A national charity is offering people affected by macular degeneration in Camborne the chance to learn skills that can help maintain their independence.

The Macular Society has volunteer trainers available to teach eccentric viewing and steady eye strategy - techniques which help people to make the best use of their remaining vision.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) affects the central vision and is the most common cause of sight loss in the UK. Those affected can find every day tasks such as cooking, walking, reading, watching television and even recognising the faces of others very difficult, if not impossible.

The practical skills are taught on a one to one basis free of charge and can help people to make better use of their remaining peripheral vision. Volunteer trainer Bernard Lee, from Camborne, said: “I am really excited to be able to offer eccentric viewing and steady eye training. Having macular degeneration myself, I know first-hand how these techniques can have a positive impact and make life easier.”

Cleon Hutton, Macular Society Re:vision manager, added: “I’m so pleased that as a society we can offer this training to people living in Camborne and the surrounding areas.

“This is a great opportunity for people to learn a new skill that can help them in their daily lives. We need people to get in contact with us and then we can provide more information on how they can receive the free tuition.” For more information on learning eccentric viewing and steady eye strategy, call the Macular Society’s helpline on 0300 3030 111 or email help@macularsociety.org.