e-Newsletter – February 2023

Thursday 23 February, 7.00pm – 8.00pm

Following the success of our last round of ‘Ask the Expert’ Webinars, we will be holding three more throughout 2023.

Our first Expert is Simon Keightley, a consultant ophthalmic surgeon and Director of Examinations for the International Council of Opthalmology.  With more than 35 years in the field, Simon is ready and waiting for your questions.

The session will be solely questions and answers, you can ask your questions during the webinar, when registering (see below) or by emailing them to services@retinauk.org.uk.

Other webinars

• Low vision services, aids and equipment: Thursday 23 March.
• Getting involved with Retina UK, the value of volunteering: Thursday 13 April
• Hair care and styling with Anna Cofone: Thursday 18 May

Holding a Souper Tuesday lunch of tasty soup and fresh bread, in aid of Retina UK, during the cold winter months is a great way of bringing colleagues, community groups, or friends together and helping us raise funds.

If no reheating facilities are available, a simple ploughman’s lunch could be an alternative.

A suggested donation of the amount usually spent on lunch, would be gratefully appreciated.

To order your Souper Tuesday fundraising pack, call us on 01280 815900 or email fundraising@RetinaUK.org.uk

We’re excited to confirm that registration is now open for our Professionals’ and Annual Conferences (and AGM) which will be available in-person and online.

The full programme will be available on our website very soon. We’ve got a packed agenda with some fascinating speakers.

For more information and to register to attend, please follow the links below:

• Professionals’ Conference: Friday 23 June
• Annual Conference: Saturday 24 June

Our Local Peer Support Group meetings continue to grow. We’d love you to join us at one or more of the following:

• ‘Talking’ Tech (online):  Thursday 16 March, 7.00pm – 8.00pm
  This pilot online group is a space to share your tech advice & knowledge from Android to iOS, Assistive Aids, Smartphone Apps and much more. We want to know what technology works for you and what is frustrating and a challenge to use. So if you are a geek of gadgets & gizmos or lover of all aspects of tech, whether you’re an expert or novice, you are all welcome to join us.
• Edinburgh (in-person): Wednesday 19 April, 1.00pm – 3.00pm
  Speaker: Jo Hill, Patient Support Worker for Visibility Scotland.
• Glasgow (in-person): Wednesday 1 March, 11.00am – 1.00pm
  Speaker: Graham Gunning from Triple Tap Tech
• Hampshire (in-person): Monday 27 March, 10.30am – 12.30pm
  Speaker: Dr Rebecca Kaye from Southampton University.
• Isle of Wight (in-person): Monday 13 March, 11.00am
  Social catch up
• Leicestershire (online): Wednesday 29 March 2023, 7.00pm – 8.00pm
  Speaker: Chris Hammond – Leicester Visually Impaired Bowls Club
• National (online): Thursday 30 March, 7.00pm – 8.00pm0pm – 8.00pm
  Speaker: Jessica Beal -VocalEyes. Topic: The world of Touch Tours
• Scotland (in-person): Wednesday 1 March, 7.00pm – 8.00pm
  Speaker: Graham Simpson, MSP for Central Scotland Region and Shadow Minister for Transport
• Wrexham & Wales (online): Thursday 9 March, 7.00pm – 8.00pm
  Speaker: Geoff Morris, Trustee and volunteer sighted guide for England and Wales Blind Golf.

The Virtual TCS London Marathon lets you join #TeamRetinaUK close to home. Taking place on the same day as the mass event in London, you’ll have 24 hours to complete your marathon. Whether you choose to take this on as a solo runner or find a friend to walk with, you can take part at your own pace and on your own route. Limited places available – join our team today!

Registration: £5
Date: 23 April 2023
Free guide places available
RetinaUK.org.uk/virtual

We have been asked by researchers to share two separate opportunities to take part in research studies on Charles Bonnet Syndrome (CBS). This is a condition experienced by some people with sight loss, where they regularly experience visual hallucinations of patterns, people or other things. These hallucinations are caused by the brain’s response to vision loss and are not linked to any mental health issues or dementia. You can find out more by listening to our webinar at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lz0frr1KydQ.

• The first study is recruiting people both with and without Charles Bonnet Syndrome, so anyone living with sight loss could be eligible. Participants need to travel to Oxford for a two-hour appointment that involves an MRI scan of the brain. Travel expenses can be paid. If you are interested in this opportunity, please contact the researchers directly by emailing brain@eye.ox.ac.uk .
• The second study is recruiting people who experience frequent hallucinations. Participants need to travel to Cambridge to undergo an EEG (where sticky pads are stuck onto the scalp to record electrical activity in the brain) so that researchers can assess brain activity before, during and after a hallucination. Again, travel expenses will be paid. If you are interested in taking part and have any questions, please contact the researchers by emailing bethany.higgins@aru.ac.uk.