A charity representing the blind and partially-sighted in Bermuda is to hold a range of events this month to highlight the issues facing people affected by loss of vision.

Thursday, October 8, is World Sight Day, aimed at raising public awareness about blindness and vision loss, influencing governments to support blindness prevention and rehabilitation programmes, and educating people how to maintain healthy vision.

The Bermuda Society for the Blind will hold a tag day on Thursday in Hamilton at the MarketPlace, The Phoenix and the new HSBC office on Front Street.

It will also hold a Technology Fair and Film Festival on Saturday, from 10am to 4pm, at the Bermuda Underwater and Exploration Institute, highlighting some of the technology available to help the blind and partially sighted.

Next Monday, the society will host ‘Vision Talk — Devices and Techniques Used for Daily Living’ at Beacon House. This is part of a monthly information and sharing group series for people who are blind or have low vision and other interested people. To RSVP call 292-3231.

Amanda Marshall, the society’s board president, said in a statement: “The percentage of people in Bermuda who have lost or are losing vision parallels global statistics.

“Approximately 2,500 Bermudians report they have vision problems even when wearing glasses. Furthermore, about 1,000 of these people report their vision loss interferes with their ability to complete daily tasks.

“Possibly of greater significance is the fact that 65 per cent of the people who report seeing difficulties even when wearing glasses are senior citizens.

“The average age of Bermuda’s population, like that of many places, is increasing, and therefore the number of people who lose vision is likely to increase since many eye conditions that lead to blindness or legal blindness are directly related to increased age.”

The top five conditions that cause blindness or low vision in Bermuda according to a 2009 national survey were glaucoma, cataracts, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, hypertensive retinopathy and eye trauma due to accidents or violence.

Dr Marshall added: “This same survey indicated 25 per cent of the people who are blind or have low vision are blind or develop low vision before the age of 21.”