PEOPLE affected by a progressive eye disease can receive free tuition to help maintain their independence.

The Plymouth Hearing and Sight Centre is offering people affected by macular degeneration the chance to learn new skills.

The organisation is working with national charity the Macular Disease Society to teach eccentric viewing (EV) and steady eye strategy (SE).

Macular degeneration affects the central vision and is the biggest cause of sight loss in the UK. Those affected can find everyday tasks such as cooking, walking, reading, watching television and even recognising the faces of others very difficult if not impossible.

The techniques, help people make better use of their peripheral vision, are taught on a one-to-one basis and can enable them to complete activities they previously found difficult.

Julie Williams, of the Hearing and Sight Centre, said: "EV and SE offer great potential to help those with macular disease maintain their independence.

"People who have benefited from the technique report improvements in everyday tasks such as mobility, sewing, food preparation as well as reading and recognising faces."

Cleon Hutton, Macular Disease Society Re:vision manager, added: "This is a great chance for people to learn a new skill that can help them in their daily lives.

"We need people to get in contact with the centre so they can provide more information on how to receive the free tuition."

Call the Plymouth Hearing and Sight Centre on 01752 201766 for details.